Workbook Solutions: Julius Caesar Act 2 (Scene 4) | English Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: Portia is
a. in Brutus’ house
b. a conspirator against Caesar
c. a friend of Calpurnia
d. a priestess of Rome
Ans: a. in Brutus’ use

Q2: Portia sends Lucius
a. to fetch a physician
b. to warn Caesar
c. on an errand to the Senate House
d. to spy on Cassius
Ans: c. on an errand to the Senate House

Q3: Lucius and Portia are interrupted by the
a. conspirators
b. soothsayer
c. Caesar’s guards
d. Calpurnia
Ans: b. soothsayer

Q4: Portia is worried
a. whether Caesar has gone to the Capitol or not
b. about Brutus’s health
c. about a storm approaching
d. about Antony’s loyalty
Ans: a. whether Caesar has gone to the Capitol or not

Q5: Portia’s prayer to the heavens is to
a. protect Brutus from harm
b. stop the conspiracy
c. speed up the enterprise of killing Caesar
d. ensure Caesar’s safety
Ans: c. speed up the enterprise of killing Caesar

Context Questions

Passage 1

LUCIUS – Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
PORTIA – Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that?
LUCIUS – I hear none, madam.
PORTIA- Prithee, listen well;
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

Q1: Where are Portia and Lucius? Who is Lucius? Why is he confused?
Ans: Portia and Lucius are both currently in Brutus’ house. Lucius is a servant in Brutus’ household. He is confused because Portia is being vague about the exact errand she wants him to run to the Capitol, and she seems anxious.

Q2: Why is Portia so tensed?
Ans: Portia is extremely tense and anxious because today is the day the conspiracy will be carried out and Caesar will be assassinated. As Brutus’ wife, she is worried for him.

Q3: Just before the extract, what had she uttered about ‘a man’s mind’ and ‘a woman’s body’?
Ans: Just before this extract, Portia had said “I have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might” – meaning she has the intellect and understanding of a man, but the physical and emotional weakness stereotypical of a woman.

Q4: Why is Portia worried about Brutus? How has Brutus added to her anxiety?
Ans: She is worried for Brutus’ safety as he is one of the conspirators who will assassinate Caesar. His sickness and secrecy about the plot have made her even more anxious.

Q5: What other instructions were given to Lucius?
Ans: She also instructs Lucius to observe what Caesar does, note who his suitors are, and report back to her on all of this.

Passage 2

PORTIA – Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not?
Soothsayer – That I have, lady

Q1: Where does Portia meet the soothsayer? What are Portia ‘s fears regarding the soothsayer?
Ans: Portia meets the soothsayer randomly on the street near Brutus’ house, as he is on his way to the Capitol. She fears that he knows about the conspiracy and is going to the Capitol to warn Caesar about it.

Q2: What is the importance of the soothsayer? Why is this day significant?
Ans: The soothsayer is important because earlier he had foretold that Caesar would face calamity on the Ides of March – which is this very day. So the date is significant.

Q3: What does the soothsayer want to tell Caesar? Why does he wish to get for himself a ‘place more void’?
Ans: He wants to warn Caesar to “befriend himself”, meaning to take care of his own safety. He wants a more empty place away from crowds to directly warn Caesar about the danger.

Q4: What is meant by the ‘throng’? What are the ‘throng’ about to witness? How is Portia’s character portrayed in the scene?
Ans: The “throng” refers to the large crowds of senators, officials and common people following Caesar towards the Capitol. They are about to witness Caesar’s planned assassination. Portia is shown to be worried, anxious, tense, and emotional throughout this scene.