Julius Caesar Act-2 Scene-4 Context Questions: ICSE Class 9 English Drama. Context Questions are very common in English Drama because it help in the evaluation of skill among students . Visit official website CISCE for detail information about ISC Board Class-9 English.
Julius Caesar Act-2 Scene-4 Context Questions: ICSE Class 9 English Drama
| Board | ICSE |
| Subject | English |
| Class | 9 |
| Book Name | Julius Caesar |
| Session | 2024-25 |
| Topics | Act-2, Scene-4 |
| Question Type | Context Questions |
Julius Caesar Act-2 Scene-4 Context Questions
Que: Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow
(Evergreen Workbook Context Questions)
LUCIUS – Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol, ….. ….. …. And the wind brings it from the Capito
Que-1: Where are Portia and Lucius? Who is Lucius? Why is he confused?
Ans: Both Portia and Lucius are in Brutus’ house. Lucius is a servant of Brutus’ household. He is confused because Portia is telling him to go to Capitol and return back.
Que-2: Why is Portia so tensed?
Ans: The reason of Portia tense and anxious is the day the conspiracy will be carried out and Caesar will be assassinated.
Que-3: Just before the extract, what had she uttered about ‘a man’s mind’ and ‘a woman’s body’?
Ans: 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
Que-4: Why is Portia worried about Brutus? How has Brutus added to her anxiety?
Ans: Portia 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.
Que-5: What other instructions were given to Lucius?
Ans: Portia also instructs her servant Lucius to observe what Caesar does, report back to her on all of this
PORTIA – Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not? Soothsayer-That I have, lady
Que-1: Where does Portia meet the soothsayer? What are Portia ‘s fears regarding the soothsayer?
Ans: She meets the soothsayer 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.
Que-2: What is the importance of the soothsayer? Why is this day significant?
Ans: The date is significant. as soothsayer earlier foretold that Caesar would face calamity on the Ides of March – which is this very day.
Que-3: What does the soothsayer want to tell Caesar? Why does he wish to get for himself a ‘place more void’?
Ans: Soothsayer 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.
Que-4: What is meant by the ‘throng’? What are the ‘throng’ about to witness? How is Portia’s character portrayed in the scene?
Ans: Here The “throng” means 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
(Morning Star Workbook Context Questions)
Portia: I prithee, boy, run to the Senate House; ….. …. Lucius: To know my errand, madam.
Que-1: Where does this scene take place? Give two examples to show that Portia agitated.
Ans: Scene takes place on a street near the Senate House in Rome. Two examples showing that Portia is agitated are:
- Portia instructs Lucius to run to the Senate House without delay: Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.”
- She expressing to set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue.”
Que-2: What is the errand on which Portia is sending Lucius? What has Motivated her to send Lucius urgently on the errand?
Ans: Portia sends Lucius to the Senate House to observe how Brutus looks and what Caesar does.
Her motivation stems from anxiety about the conspiracy against Caesar, of which she is aware, and her concern for Brutus’ safety and the outcome of the plot.
Que-3: Whom does she meet a little later, which increases her tension? What does that person indicate that there is a possibility of an impending danger?
Ans: A Soothsayer with a little later meets Portia , which increases her tension. The Soothsayer indicates a possibility of impending danger by suggests that although he does not know of any specific plan, he senses that something harmful may happen.
Que-4: Give two arguments put forward earlier to Brutus by Portia to indicate why she should know his secrets.
Ans: Two arguments Portia puts forward to Brutus are:
- Portia argues that as his wife, she deserves to share in his secrets: Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife.”
- She also appeals to him by wounding herself to show her strength and loyalty, demonstrating that she can bear the weight of his secrets:
Que-5: What noise does Portia said to have heard a little later? Does Lucius heard the noise? What can you conclude about this situation?
Ans: A little later Portia hears a “bustling rumor like a fray,” implying a disturbance coming from the Capitol. However, Lucius does not hear the noise, This suggests that Portia is so anxious that she imagines the noise
Portia: I would have had thee there, and here again … …. …. .. Lucius: Madam, what should I do?
Que-1: Where is Portia sending Lucius? What does she tell Lucius to find out about Brutus and Caesar?
Ans: Portia is sending Lucius to the Capitol to observe and bring back information about Brutus and Caesar.
Que-2: Why is Portia externally distracted and internally anxious according to the extract?
Ans: According to the extract Portia is externally distracted and internally anxious because she is deeply worried about Brutus and the dangerous conspiracy against Caesar.
Que-3: Give the meaning of: “Set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue!” What is the conflict from which Portia suffers as indicated in this statement?
Ans: The line “Set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue!” means that Portia wishes for something to prevent her from speaking the worries and secrets that are in her heart.
Portia suffers the conflict from is the struggle to keep silent about the conspiracy against Caesar, despite her intense emotional turmoil and fear for Brutus’ safety.
Que-4: State in your own words what Portia means by “a mans mind but a woman’s mind.” What does she feel is her weakness? Why?
Ans: It means that she has the mental strength and determination of a man, but she is limited by the physical and societal constraints as a woman. She feels her weakness lies in her inability to take action or influence events directly due to her gender, which restricts her from doing more than worrying and waiting.
Que-5: In what way is a sense of urgency indicated in the first two lines of extract? Where else, in the extract, does she show the same attitude ?
Ans: In the first two lines of extract urgency indicates by Portia’s impatience and immediate command for Lucius to leave without delay, without explaining his task.
Portia hurriedly tells Lucius to run to Brutus and quickly return with information, showing her anxiety and desperate need for news.
Soothsayer: None that I know will be, … … … Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.
Que-1: Omens and soothsayers play a big role in Julius Caesar. What role does the soothsayer play here? What effect does his presence have on Portia and on the audience?
Ans: The soothsayer role is to increase the tension by reminding both the characters and the audience of the impending threat to Caesar’s life. The soothsayer’s warns but ominous warnings create a sense of foreboding.
Effect on Portia, as anxiety about her husband’s involvement in the conspiracy. For the audience, the soothsayer’s presence reinforces the theme of fate versus free will and contributes to the dramatic tension.
Que-2: To whom does the soothsayer address these words? Explain the first sentence in the extract in the light of what has already been said to him.
Ans: . In the first sentence these words address to Portia by soothsayer, the soothsayer admits that he has no concrete knowledge of any specific harm that will befall Caesar, but he is deeply concerned about what might happen.
This reflects his earlier warning to Caesar about the “Ides of March,” indicating that while he cannot predict exact events, he senses danger.
Que-3: What is meant by “The Throng” would the throng witness in a short time?
Ans: “Please see above que-4 of Evergreen.
Que-4: What does the soothsayer want to tell Caesar? Why does he wish to get for himself a “place more void”?
Ans: The soothsayer wants to warn Caesar about upcoming danger. He wants to tell Caesar to be cautious, as he senses that something bad may happen. The soothsayer desires to find a less crowded area, so that he can speak to Caesar privately and without the interference of the crowd.
Que-5: Besides the soothsayer, there is another person waiting to communicate on the road with Caesar. Who is he? What does he want to tell Caesar and why?
Ans: Besides the soothsayer, there is another person waiting to communicate with Caesar is Artemidorus with a letter that contains a warning about the conspiracy against Caesar. Artemidorus is aware of the plot to assassinate Caesar and hopes to save him by delivering the letter personally, urging Caesar to read it immediately.
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