English Summary

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

Keeping it from Harold Summary in English by P.G. Wodehouse

Keeping it from Harold Summary in English

Mr Bramble is a famous boxer, popular by the name of ‘Porky’, with a large fan following. But, despite his successful boxing career, he is keen to give it all up because of his son Harold. Harold, a ten-year- old schoolboy, is unaware of his father’s profession and has been told that he is a commercial traveller. Harold is a constant source of amazement to his parents because of his excellence in studies and his impeccable manners. His mother, Mrs Bramble is convinced that he is a child prodigy. They fear that such a superior human being might not approve of his father’s profession.

Encouraged by his brother-in-law (Mrs Bramble’s brother), Major Percy Stokes, Mr Bramble decides to give up his boxing career and look for a job as a boxing instructor in a school or college. Unfortunately, the decision is taken days before a major boxing event where he stands to win a lot of money and fame. His wife does not appear too happy at this decision as she feels the money he would have won would have helped in their son’s education. Before the discussion can go any further, Mr Fisher, the trainer and promoter of Mr Bramble’s fight, arrives. He is horrified at Mr Bramble’s decision to give up boxing at such a time and does all he can to make him change his mind. In the middle of all this chaos enters Harold wanting to know why there was so much fighting in the house.

Much to the surprise of his parents he is extremely excited to know that his father is the famous boxing champion ‘Porky’ and surprises everyone with his in-depth knowledge of the boxing world and the fact that he has bet some money on ‘Porky’s’ win. Hence, matters end peacefully, with Mr Fisher taking Mr Bramble to train for the ‘big fight’ and Harold asking his mother to help him with his studies.

The story is written in the typical humorous, ironical style that came so naturally to P.G. Wodehouse.

Keeping it from Harold Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.

a. Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because:
(i) she was the wife of a famous boxer.
(ii) she had motivated her husband.
(iii) she was a good housewife
(iv) she was the mother of a child prodigy.
Answer:
She was the mother of a child prodigy.

b. ‘The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part ’ The writer’s tone here is:
(i) admiring
(ii) assertive
(iii) satirical
(iv) gentle
Answer:
Satirical.

c. Harold had defied the laws of heredity by:
(i) becoming a sportsperson.
(ii) being good at academics.
(iii) being well-built and muscular
(iv) respecting his parents
Answer:
Being good at academics.

d. Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as:
(i) they did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.
(ii) his hero, Jimmy Murphy had not won the wrestling match.
(iii) he had not got Phil Scott’s autograph.
(iv) Sid Simpson had lost the Lonsdale belt.
Answer:
They did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.

Question 2.
Answer the following questions.

a. What was strange about the manner in which Mrs Bramble addressed her son? What did he feel about it?
Answer:
Mrs Bramble addressed her son in the third person and it jarred upon him as he felt she was addressing him the way one addresses a baby. He felt offended especially as he felt all grown up since he had won a prize for dictation and spelling.

b. Why was it necessary to keep Harold’s father’s profession a secret from him?
Answer:
Harold was studying in an expensive private school and was growing up to be quite a don. He was very intelligent and interested in studies. He amazed his parents with his courteous behaviour. Therefore, they felt that he might be embarrassed if he came to know that his father was a boxing champion and belonged to the rough world of boxing.

c. When Mr Bramble came to know that he was going to be a father what were some of the names he decided upon? Why?
Answer:
Mr Bramble had wanted to call the child John if he was a boy, after the American boxing legend John L Sullivan, and Marie if she were a girl, after Marie Lloyd, the music hall artist. He probably decided upon these names because they were famous and belonged to his world of entertainment and sports.

d. Describe Mr Bramble as he has been described in the story.
Answer:
Mr Bramble was one of the mildest and most obliging of men in private life and always yielded to everybody. Nobody could help but like this excellent man.

e. Why was Mrs Bramble upset when she heard that Bill had decided not to fight?
Answer:
Mrs Bramble was upset because the money that Bill would have made after the boxing match would have helped to provide for the expenses of their son’s education.

f. Who was Jerry Fisher? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind?
Answer:
Jerry Fisher was the trainer, manager, and promoter of Mr Bramble’s boxing matches.

He tried to tempt Mr Bramble by reminding him of the large sum of money that he would win at the end of the fight, the celebrities who would come to watch him fight and the publicity he would get. He also tried to point out the problems that he would have to face if he decided not to fight.

g. How did Harold come to know that his father was a boxer?
Answer:
When Harold returned from a walk, finding the door of his house open, he walked into a room full of adults discussing about him. Seizing the opportunity, Mr Fisher told him that his father was the famous boxing champion, popularly called ‘Young Porky’.

h. Why was Harold upset that his father had not told him about his true identity? Give two reasons.
Answer:
Harold was upset that he had been denied the chance to show off before his friends that his father was the famous boxing champion ‘Young Porky’. He also felt that if his friends had known of his father’s true identity, they would have treated him with more respect and not called him ‘Goggles’.

i. Do you agree with Harold’s parents ’ decision of hiding from him that his father was a boxer? Why? Why not?
(Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate their own answers.)
Answer:
Yes, they did the right thing by hiding the fact from Harold because they did not know how he would react. They felt they were saving him from embarrassment .They did not want him to feel inferior to the other boys in his class, especially as most of them came from the upper strata of society and may have looked down upon him once they came to know of it.

No, it was foolish on their part to hide things from him because by doing so they were living under false pretenses • and this would have had painful consequences in the future. Also, they were being overprotective, deciding what their son should or should not be told. They were turning him into a snob by hiding his true background from him.

Question 3.
The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.
Answer:
a. Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
b. Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
c. Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
d. Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
e. Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
f. Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
g. Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
h. Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
i. Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.

Question 4.
Choose extracts from the story that illustrate the characters of these people in it.
Answer:

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

The Man Who Knew Too Much Summary in English by Alenxander Baron

The Man Who Knew Too Much Summary in English

The Man Who Knew Too Much is a humorous story set in an army training camp. It highlights the attitude of one of the trainees at the camp, Private Quelch, who has a habit of showing off his knowledge in an attempt to outshine the other trainees in his batch. Private Quelch focuses all his energies into becoming an army officer and winning the coveted ‘stripe’. In his attempt to impress his seniors he reads up the training manual, often sitting up late at night to do so. He, however, becomes unpopular with his batch mates because of his habit of lecturing them on any topic related to their training, right from the use of guns to the different ways of cleaning them. Things come to a head when he meets Corporal Turnbull, a tough war veteran, who has to lecture them on grenades. But as usual, before Corporal Turnbull can start, Private Quelch starts off with his knowledge of grenades, irritating the Corporal, who then asks him to take over the class.

A delighted Quelch delivers his lecture at length, blissfully unaware of the rising irritation of the Corporal. Finally he has to pay for his over enthusiasm by being sent to the cookhouse as punishment, much to the amusement and relief of his batch mates. However, even in the cookhouse Quelch cannot keep himself from lecturing the poor unsuspecting cooks on the correct method of peeling potatoes.

The Man Who Knew Too Much Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
The ‘Professor’ knew too much. How did he prove himself? Fill up the space with suitable examples from the story, using the given clues:

a. about muzzle velocity:
Answer:
‘A voice interrupted. ‘Two thousand, four hundred and forty feet per second.’ It was the Professor.’

b. after a thirty mile walk:
Answer:
‘…but infuriated us all with his horrible heartiness. ‘What about a song, chaps?’ is not greeted politely at the end of thirty miles.’

c. his salute on payday:
Answer:
‘His salute at the pay table was a model to behold.’

d. the loud sound of a high flying invisible aeroplane:
Answer:
‘Without even a glance upward the Professor announced, “That, of course, is a North American Harvard Trainer. It can be unmistakably identified by the harsh engine note, due to the high tip speed of the airscrew.’”

e. about hand grenades:
Answer:
‘The Professor was speaking again. “Shouldn’t you have started off with the five characteristics of the grenade? Our instructor at the other camp always used to, you know.’”

f. during cook house duties:
Answer:
‘…and from within came the monotonous beat of a familiar voice. “Really. I must protest against this abominably unscientific and unhygienic method of peeling potatoes. I need to only draw your attention to the sheer waste of vitamin values ’”

Question 2.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.

a. Private Quelch was nick-named ‘Professor’:
(i) his appearance.
(ii) his knowledge.
(iii) his habit of reading.
(iv) his habit of sermonising
Answer:
Because of his habit of sermonizing.

b. One could hammer nails into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because:
(i) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(ii) he was oblivious to his suroundings.
(iii) he was a brave corporal.
(iv) he was used to it.
Answer:
He was a strong and sturdy man.

c. The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as:
(i) they had to catch a train
(ii) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
(iii) they felt they would have to lend a helping hand.
(iv) they did not want to meet the cooks.
Answer:
They did not want to meet the cooks.

Question 3.
Answer the following questions briefly.

a. What is a ‘nickname ’? Can you suggest another one for Private Quelch ?
Answer:
A nickname is a short name that is given to a person to highlight his/her quirks. Another nickname for ‘the Professor’ can be ‘the Pastor’.

b. Private Quelch looked like a “Professor” when the author first met him at the training depot Why?
Answer:
Private Quelch looked like a professor with his lanky, stooping body, and hom rimmed spectacles. Moreover, he had the most annoying habit of sermonizing on any topic under the sun.

c. What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest about him?
Answer:
It suggests that he had spent most of his time out of doors and was very experienced.

d. How was Private Quelch’s knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant’s classes went on?
Answer:
When Quelch interrupted the Sergeant’s class with added information about the speed of the bullet of a rifle, the Sergeant was not amused and as soon as his lecture got over he asked Quelch some pointed questions on the subject, hoping to catch him on the wrong foot, but the Professor’s knowledge on the subject was so thorough that it only enhanced his reputation.

e. What did the Professor mean by ‘intelligent reading’?
Answer:
According to the Professor, it meant reading up beforehand all that one could, about the subject at hand. For example, he had thoroughly read the training manual beforehand and was therefore able to answer all the questions being asked about the rifle.

f. What were the Professor’s ambitions in the army?
Answer:
The Professor wanted to become an army officer and win a ‘stripe’.

g. Did Private Quelch’s day to day practices take him closer towards his goal? How can you make out?
Answer:
Yes, Private. Quelch was deeply focused on his goals. He borrowed training manuals and stayed up all night to read them. He badgered his instructors with questions. He drilled enthusiastically, saluted and marched smartly in a bid to impress his instructors and seniors.

h. Describe Corporal Turnbull.
Answer:
Corporal Turnbull had the reputation of being a tough man—physically, mentally, and emotionally. He was a great soldier and was known to have returned from the battle field with all his equipment correctly accounted for. He was not a man to be trifled with. He accurately judged the character of the Professor and sent him to the cook house to curb his habit of showing off.

i. How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal?
Answer:
Private Quelch managed to anger the Corporal by interrupting his lecture on grenades with his own input on the subject.

j. Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties?
Answer:
No, Private Quelch did not learn a lesson because it is mentioned that the narrator heard him lecturing the cooks on the best way of peeling potatoes.

Question 4.
“At first, Private Quelch was a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers.” Support this observation with suitable examples from the story in about 80-100 words.
Answer:
It is true that at first the narrator and the others at the training camp were in awe of the amount of knowledge Quelch had about everything under the sun and that is why they had nicknamed him “Professor”. Therefore, the narrator says that when he was able to answer all the questions the Sergeant asked him about rifles accurately it “enhanced” his glory in the eyes of his colleagues.

At another place the narrator mentions, “He had brains. He was sure to get a commission before long.” Again, commenting on his hard working nature he writes, “He worked hard. We had to give him credit for that”, and again, “He was not only miraculously tireless but infuriated us all with his heartiness.” And finally he writes, “At first we had certain respect for him but soon we lived in terror of his approach.”

Question 5.
Private Quelch knew “too much”. Give reasons to prove that he was unable to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues.
Answer:
Though everyone agreed that Quelch knew too much, he soon lost all their respect because of his habit of correcting his colleagues publicly whenever they made a mistake. If anyone shone at his work, he made sure to outshine them. He was always trying to patronise them and show off his knowledge to them. After a while they just couldn’t take his condescending ways any longer and steered clear of him.

Question 6.
You are the “Professor”. Write a diary entry after your first day at the cookhouse, describing the events that led to this assignment, also express your thoughts and feelings about the events of the day in about 175 words.
Answer:
21 January 20xx

Today was my first day at the cook house! It wasn’t as bad as I had thought it would be! But I was appalled to see how little the cooks know about cooking. Today I had to lecture them on the correct way of peeling potatoes. They have been peeling them so thickly that a lot of the vitamins are getting lost! By the time I complete my term here I will have taught them a thing or two.

After all, I was chosen by Corporal Turnbull for this task. I think he was greatly impressed by my knowledge of grenades. He let me give the whole lecture by myself. Even the Sergeant had been impressed by my knowledge of rifles. I have no doubt they think I am the best trainee in the camp! I know that I march the best and my hut is the cleanest. I simply love reading the training manual. I know the others call me “Professor” behind my back because of all my knowledge. I feel so good. I am eagerly waiting for my stripe. Only then will I fulfil my dream of becoming an army officer. I wonder whether I will get the Best Trainee Award.

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

A Dog Named Duke Summary in English by William P Ellis

A Dog Named Duke Summary in English

Charles “Chuck” Hooper had everything going for him. He was tall, popular, used to play for the university football team and was now a successful zonal sales manager for a chemical company. He was happily married and had brought home a four year- old Doberman called Duke. But things changed dramatically after a freak accident which left him depressed and bed-ridden for life. After a long stay at the hospital, during which time Duke was kept in a kennel, he returned to an empty home which further heightened his depression and loneliness. His wife Marcy brought Duke back home and right from day one Duke understood his master’s needs and did not leave his bedside even for a moment.

Master and dog spent time staring at each other till one day the dog lost patience and started poking and prodding his master, compelling him to respond. Slowly, he guided his master and pushed him to walk again. Initially, Chuck walked very slowly holding on to the dog’s leash but gradually he started walking by himself. The progress was slow, almost a step at a time, till he was able to walk around his neighbourhood. One day he walked to his old work place and started working—at first for a few hours—till, slowly, he was able to work for a full day. All this time, Chuck was shadowed and guided by his loyal companion, Duke. They became a familiar sight in the neighbourhood. The partnership however came to an abrupt end one day when Duke was hit by a car and succumbed to his injuries.

A Dog Named Duke Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Based on your reading of the story answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.

a. With reference to Hooper, the author says, ‘Every thing was going for him ’. What does it imply?
(i) he had everything that a man aspires for.
(ii) people admired him.
(iii) he did what he wanted.
(iv) he was capable of playing games.
Answer:
He had everything that a man aspires for.

b. Duke never jumped on Chuck again because:
(i) Duke was paralysed and unable to jump.
(ii) Chuck was angry with Duke for jumping at him.
(iii) Duke realized that Chuck was not well and could not balance himself.
(iv) Marcy did not allow Duke to come near Chuck.
Answer:
Duke realized that Chuck was not well and could not balance himself.

c. The author says that Duke ‘knew his job ’. The job was:
(i) to look after Chuck.
(ii) to get Chuck on his feet.
(iii) to humor Chuck
(iv) to guard the house.
Answer:
to get Chuck on his feet.

d. ‘…even Duke’s presence didn’t reach Chuck ‘. Why?
(i) Duke was locked in his kennel and Chuck couldn’t see him.
(ii) Duke hid himself behind the bed post.
(iii) Duke had come to know that Hooper was not well.
(iv) Hooper was lost in his own grief and pain.
Answer:
Hooper was lost in his own grief and pain.

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly

a. “In 1953, Hooper was a favored young man. ” Explain.
Answer:
It means that Chuck Hooper had everything going for him. He was a tall young man who had played in the university football team and was now a zonal sales manager for a chemical company. He seemed to have everything that he wanted.

b. “They said that they would create a desk job for Hooper at headquarters. ” Why did they decide to do this?
Answer:
They decided to do this because they wanted to show their support for Chuck during his difficult time. They realized he would not be as active as he had been in the past.

c. “Duke was an extraordinary dog. ” What special qualities did he exhibit to justify this?
Answer:
Duke was truly an extraordinary dog, he was quick to understand his master’s disability and took care not to injure him. Duke also managed to push Hooper out of a rut and gave him the strength and the will to walk again.

d. What problems did Chuck present when he returned to the company headquarters?
Answer:
The problem was that the company did not think that he would be able to contribute much to the work due to his injuries and handicap, yet they did not have the heart to discourage him especially as he was trying so hard to bring some normalcy into his life.

e. Why do you think Charles Hooper’s appointment as Assistant National Manager is considered to be a tribute to Duke?
Answer:
It was a tribute because it was the result of Duke’s persistence, help, support, and love that Hooper regained an interest in life and started working again, to prove that his handicap was not going to limit his abilities.

Question 3.
Following dates were important in Charles Hooper’s life in some way. Complete the table by relating the description with the correct dates.
Answer:

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Summary in English by Sudha Murthy

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Summary in English

The story is a first-hand narrative in which the author recalls how she taught her grandmother to read. The author’s grandmother had never gone to school as a young girl, but had nursed a deep desire to study. As she grew older, she ensured that her children, and later, her grandchildren were educated.

Her deep desire to read came alive when her granddaughter went to another village to attend a wedding and she was not able to follow one of the stories that her granddaughter used to read out to her, from a magazine. This made her determined to learn to read, even though she was sixty two years old. She asked her granddaughter to be her teacher and the author was amazed at the sincerity and dedication with which she applied herself to her studies.

By Dussehra, the grandmother had learnt to read and on the day of Saraswati Puja, she gifted her granddaughter material for a frock and touched her feet as a mark of respect for her young teacher. In return, the author gifted her grandmother her favourite story, Kashi Yatre, which had inspired her to learn to read and which had now been published as a novel.

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Now that you have enjoyed reading the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.

a. The grandmother could relate to the central character of the story Kashi Yatre as:
(i) both were old and uneducated.
(ii) both had granddaughters who read to them.
(iii) both had a strong desire to visit Kashi.
(iv) both were determined to learn to read.
Answer:
(iii) both had a strong desire to visit Kashi.

b. Why did the women at the temple discuss the latest episode o/Kashi Yatre?
(i) to pass their time.
(ii) the writer, Triveni. was very popular
(iii) they could relate with the protagonist of the serial.
(iv) women have a habit of discussing serials.
Answer:
Because the writer, Triveni, was very popular

c. The granddaughter found her grandmother in tears on her return as:
(i) the grandmother had been unable to read the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ on her own.
(ii) the grandmother had felt lonely.
(iii) the grandmother wanted to accompany her granddaughter.
(iv) she was sad she could not visit Kashi.
Answer:
The grandmother had been unable to read the story Kashi Yatre on her own.

d. Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet?
(i) As a mark of respect to her teacher.
(ii) It was a custom in their family.
(iii) Girls should be respected.
(iv) She had read the story of ‘Kashi Yatre’ to her.
Answer:
(i) As a mark of respect to her teacher.

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly.

a. What made Triveni a popular writer?
Answer:
Triveni wrote in an easy, convincing style. Her stories dealt with the complex psychologicafproblems in the lives of ordinary people and were very interesting.

b. Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?
Answer:
The grandmother had never gone to school, so she could not read. Therefore, she depended on her granddaughter to read out the story to her.

c. Pick out two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know what happened in the story.
Answer:
Para 4: ‘During that time… I read the serial out to her.’
Para 14: ‘Many times I … read for me.’

d. Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?
Answer:
The grandmother did succeed by working hard under the guidance of her granddaughter. She would read, repeat, write, and recite what she was taught.

e. Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother?
Answer:
(i) determined
(ii) selfish
(iii) emotional
(iv) mean
Give reasons for your choice.
(i) determined: We know that the grandmother was determined because once she made up her mind to study . she set a date by which she wanted to become literate and accomplished it through perseverance and sincere hard work.
(iii) emotional: We know that she was emotional because she felt embarrassed and upset at not being able to read her favourite story when her granddaughter had gone away to attend a wedding in a nearby village.

Question 3.
Here are some direct quotations from the story. Identify the speaker and write what each quotation suggests about the speaker. You can use the adjectives given in the box and may also add your own.
Answer:

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

Julius Caesar Summary in English by William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar Summary in English

Julius Caesar is the story of a man’s personal dilemma over moral action, set against a backdrop of strained political drama. Julius Caesar, an able general and a conqueror, returns to Rome amidst immense popularity after defeating the sons of Pompey. The people celebrate his victorious return and he is offered the crown by Mark Antony which he refuses. Jealous of Caesar’s growing power and afraid that he may one day become a dictator, Cassius instigates a conspiracy to murder Caesar.

He realises that in order to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the Romans, he must win over the noble Brutus to his side for Brutus is the most trusted and respected man in Rome. Brutus, the idealist, joins the conspiracy feeling everyone is driven by motives as honourable as his own. Ironically, Caesar is murdered at the foot of Pompey’s statue.

Julius Caesar Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Answer the following questions by ticking the correct options.

(1) When Caesar says “Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night ” he sounds ……………..
(a) worried

(2) Caesar’s reference to the senators as ‘graybeards ’ shows his …………….
(c) arrogance

(3) Decius Brutus changes Caesar’s mind about going to the Senate by appealing to his ……………
(b) vanity

(4) The offer that Cassius makes to Antony after Caesar’s assassination is that ……………..
(c) his recommendations will be as strong as that of the conspirators while distributing the powers and benefits to friends

(5) Cassius tries to stop Brutus from letting Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral as he ………………
(d) knows Antony is a good orator who can sway the mob

(6) What prophecy does Antony make over Caesar’s dead body?
(b) Rome will experience fierce civil war in which many people will die

(7) After listening to Brutus ’ speech, the Third Citizen says ‘Let him be Caesar’. This clearly shows he ………………….
(d) thinks Brutus killed Caesar to assume power

(8) When Antony calls the conspirators‘honourable men’his tone is …………………
(d) mocking

(9) Antony’s reference to Caesar’s conquest of the Nervii is to …………………..
(a) remind the mob of Caesar’s greatness as a warrior

(10) Antony’s remark Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!, shows him to be ………………….
(a) a ruthless manipulator

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly.

a. How do the heavens’blaze forth’the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer:
The heavens sent omens foretelling a major calamity like Calpumia’s dream of Caesar being murdered, a lioness whelping in the streets, graves opening and dead bodies lying around, warriors fighting upon the clouds, and drizzling blood upon the Capitol, horses neighing, dying men groaning, ghosts shrieking about the streets.

b. What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?
Answer:
Calpumia tries to convince Caesar to remain home because she has had frightening dreams about Caesar’s death throughout the night.

c. Why does Calpumia say Caesar’s ‘wisdom is consumed in confidence ’? What does she mean?
Answer:
Calpumia means that though Caesar is wise, he is over-confident. His wisdom is destroyed by his over-confidence.

d. What does Calpumia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?
Answer:
Calpumia dreamt she saw Caesar’s statue spout blood like a fountain with a hundred spouts and Romans came smiling and dipped their hands in it. She saw the dream as a warning that danger was imminent. Decius Brutus interprets the dream as a lucky vision. He said it signified that from Caesar Rome shall imbibe fresh life and great men will earnestly desire relics marked, with his blood.

e. What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
Answer:
Decius flatters Caesar into disregarding the fears of his wife. He says that the senate has decided to offer a crown to Caesar that day and if he does not go they may change their minds and mock him for being afraid. They may say that the senate should be dismissed till Caesar’s wife has better dreams.

f. Why is Decius more successful than Calpumia in persuading Caesar?
Answer:
Decius is more successful than Calpumia in persuading Caesar because he appeals to Caesar’s ambition and vanity. Caesar accompanies the conspirators to the Capitol and to his death.

g. What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
Answer:
‘ The conspirators want Caesar to recall the order of exile passed against Metellus Cimber’s brother, Publius. Caesar refuses to listen to them and change his mind.

h. Who says “Et tu Brute ”? When are these words spoken? Why?
Answer:
Caesar says these words just after Brutus stabbed him. Caesar loved Brutus and could not believe Brutus would do such a deed.

i. In the moments following Caesar’s death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar’s death?
Answer:
The conspirators proclaim that they killed Caesar to free Rome of him and to establish democracy— ‘Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement! ’

j. Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief What does he say about Caesar?
Answer:
Antony is saddened that the great conqueror Caesar is reduced to a dead body lying on a small piece of the ground. He expresses willingness to die at the conspirators’ hands while their hands and weapons are still warm with Caesar’s blood.

k. Whom does Antony call ‘the choice and master spirits of this age ”? Why?
Answer:
Antony calls the conspirators—Brutus, Cassius and the others as ‘the choice and the master spirits of this age’. He is actually mocking them beneath his pretence of flattery.

l. How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony’s speech?
Answer:
Brutus tells him not to beg for his death at their hands. He says that he killed Caesar for he loved Rome more than he loved his friend. Cassius, on the other hand, appeals to Antony’s greed and says that he will have a say in the new government.

m. Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
Answer:
Cassius fears Antony and his ability as an orator. Brutus says he will speak first and tell the citizens that Antony was speaking with their permission.

n. What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
Answer:
While speaking of Caesar’s greatness, Antony must not blame the conspirators for ‘murdering’ Caesar. He must also say that he has been permitted to speak at Caesar’s funeral by the conspirators. Moreover, he must speak from the same pulpit as Brutus.

o. When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Anthony call Brutus and the others?
Answer:
Antony calls the conspirators butchers.

p. What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?
Answer:
Antony predicts that Italy will be cursed as civil war shall break out; bloodshed, destruction and dreadful sights will become so familiar that mothers shall smile when they see their infants killed in war, pity will be destroyed due to foul deeds becoming common. Caesar’s spirit shall roam about for revenge, dead bodies will be lying around rotting and stinking and there will be no one to accord them a decent burial.

q. What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
Answer:
Brutus says that Caesar was ambitious. Brutus loved Rome and the ideals and that Rome stands for more than just Caesar. He loved Caesar but he loved Rome more.

r. Who says, “Let him be Caesar”? What light does this throw on the speaker?
Answer:
One of the citizens says this after Brutus’ speech. He has not understood the reasons Brutus has given for Caesar’s murder.

s. Why is Antony’s speech more effective?
Answer:
Brutus’ straightforward appeal to logic and reason versus Antony’s appeal to emotion through the use of irony, sarcasm, reiteration, and figurative language, creating images in the listeners’ minds, is more effective.

t. At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?
Answer:
Brutus and Cassius are attacked by the mob who rush to set fire to their houses.

Question 3.
Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines from the play to illustrate your choice.
Answer:


Question 4.
In the play ‘Julius Caesar’, we meet the Roman mob. We find that as Brutus and Antony speak, the mob displays certain qualities and characteristics. 4
Given below are some characteristics of the mob. Complete the table by quoting the lines wherein these are revealed.
Answer:

Question 5.
Antony employs a number of devices to produce the desired effect on the mob. These devices maybe described as rhetorical devices. He first speaks in such a manner that it seems to the mob that he is in full agreement with Brutus about Caesar. Then step by step he moves away from Brutus’ position, depicting Brutus as a villain and Caesar as a wronged man. Copy and complete the following table by showing how Antony builds the argument in Caesar’s favour.
Answer:

Question 6.
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Caesar Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

a. Whom is Caesar speaking to? Why does1 he say these words?
Answer:
Caesar is speaking to his wife Calpumia. He is responding to Calpumia’s fears about dangers that might befall Caesar if he stepped out of his home that day.

b. What fears has the listener expressed?
Answer:
Calpumia is afraid of Caesar being murdered if he stepped out of his house that day.

c. What is the basis for the fears expressed?
Answer:
Calpumia had a nightmare about Caesar’s death the previous night!

2. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, ’tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament—
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds

a. Who speaks these words? Where is the speaker at this moment?
Answer:
These words are spoken by Mark Antony. He was giving a speech on the pulpit at that moment.

b. What are the contents of Caesar’s will that he is referring to?
Answer:
The contents of Caesar’ will were being eagerly anticipated by the crowd. To all Roman citizens Caesar had left seventy five drachmas, his walks, his private arbours, and newly planted orchards.

c. Why does the speaker read Caesar’s will to the citizens?
Answer:
Mark Antony was trying to sway public opinion against the conspirators who killed Caesar. Reading out Caesar’s will would prove how generous Caesar was and the public would be further enraged at his brutal murder.

d. What is the reaction of the listeners to the reading of the will?
Answer:
The listeners plan to bum Caesar’s body in the holy place and put fire to the traitors’ houses with the brands. They leave in anger, planning violence against the conspirators in all forms.