Q.1. How do the heavens 'blaze forth' the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer: The heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar through thunder andlighting.
Q.2. What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?
Answer: Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar that he should not leave the house as some mishap might fall on him. For this she tells him about her ill-omened dreams and the same are forbidding him not to the house. For having the safety and her interest, he should not step out.
Q.3. Why does Calpurnia say that Caesar's ' wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does she mean?
Answer: Calpurnia has tried her best to convince Caesar not to step out of the house as she has seen horrible dreams in the night. But Caesar refutes her arguments on the basis that he does not want to be considered as a coward. She remarks that Caesar'sself-confidence has beaten his judgment and also shadowed his wisdom. Riding the crest of of self-confidence, Caesar forgets his actual position and thinks that there cannot be any danger that can make him afraid of.
Q.4. What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?
Answer: In a fearful dream Calpurnia saw uncommon things occurring in the streets. She dreamt a lioness giving birth to cubs in the streets of Rome, graves opening and fiery warriors fighting. Calpurnia also dreamt that Caesar’s statue with a hundred spouts emitting blood from them like a fountain. Many lusty Romans were bathing their hands in it. There were crooked smiles on their faces. Calpurnia apprehended it as a prophecy of her husband’s death.
Decius Brutus is a smart, clever flatterer of Caesar. He cleverly turns Calpurnia’sinterpretations about her dream to his own advantage. He tells that it has been a lucky and fortunate dream as it points out that his creative energy will bring new life and strength to Rome. Decius tells that the dream symbolizes Caesar’s spirit of influenceand Rome will derive sustenance from Caesar.
Q.5. What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
Answer: Decius Brutus Brutus is a smart, clever flatterer of Caesar. He cleverly turns Calpurnia’s interpretations about her dream to his own advantage. Decius points out that it has been a lucky and fortunate dream.
Further to convince Caesar, Decius tells him that the people would think of as a coward if he stays at home because of her wife’s strange dream. He also tells Caesar that the senate has decided to crown him and if he did not go then people might change their minds. All these arguments put forward by Brutus ultimately convinces Julius Caesar to go to the Capitol.
Q.6. Why is Decius more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia?
Answer: Decius is more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar on the point that flattery never goes without touching the inner core of one's heart. It is the art of talking that controls the sense of wisdom even. His clever flattery gets an upper hand and arouses Caesar's pride. He pleads that Calpurnia's dream has been wrongly interpreted. Indeed out was a lucky dream for him.
Q.7. What is the petition put before Caesar by conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
Answer: The conspirators put a petition before Julius Caesar to recall Publius Cimber home as he has banished him. They request Caesar to review his earlier decision. But Caesar says that he is firm like a Pole Star. Caesar says that his heart cannot be softened by bowing and stopping activities. He is high above such petty things and if Metellus Cimber persists in his servile activities, he would spurn him away just like a street dog.