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END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION 2015
SECONDARY 3
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
Class Register Number/
Centre No./Index No.
2065/02
6 October 2015
Paper 2 Drama
1 hour 30 minutes
Additional Materials:
Answer Paper
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Do not open this booklet until you are told to do so.
Write your name, class and index number clearly in the space provided at the top of this
page.
Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper.
Do not use highlighters or correction fluid.
Answer two questions on the text you have studied. One of these must be (a) or (b), and
the other must be (c).
You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
All questions in this paper carry equal marks.
This document consists of 3 printed pages.
[Turn over]
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Julius Caesar
Answer one essay question (a) or (b), and the passage-based question (c).
Remember to support your ideas with relevant details from the text.
Either (a)
To what extent do you agree that Brutus’ reasons for killing Caesar are
justified? Support your answer with close reference to Act 1 and Act 2
Scene 1.
or
(b)
Choose one moment from Act 1 and one moment from Act 2 Scene 1 and
show how Shakespeare creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension
before Caesar’s assassination.
And
(c)
Read this passage carefully, and then answer the questions that follow it:
DECIUS BRUTUS Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
CASSIUS
Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet,
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him
A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means,
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all: which to prevent,
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
BRUTUS
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar:
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;
And in the spirit of men there is no blood:
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make
Our purpose necessary and not envious:
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.
And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm
When Caesar's head is off.
CASSIUS
Yet I fear him;
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar-BRUTUS
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
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TREBONIUS
BRUTUS
CASSIUS
TREBONIUS
Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar:
And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company.
There is no fear in him; let him not die;
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
Clock strikes
Peace! count the clock.
The clock hath stricken three.
'Tis time to part.
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(i) How does Shakespeare make this passage so dramatically effective?
(ii) How has the relationship between Brutus and Cassius changed at this point?
Refer closely to this scene and the rest of Act 1 and Act 2 Scene 1 in your
answer.
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ANSWER GUIDE
‘to what extent’ – you need to make a stand. Do you
agree to a large extent, or only to a certain extent?
(a)
you need to be familiar with
Brutus’ reasons. Refer closely to
what he actually says from Act 1
and Act 2 Scene 1and 2.
To what extent do you agree that Brutus’ reasons for killing Caesar are
justified? Support your answer with close reference to Acts 1 and 2.
‘justified’ – this is quite an ‘open’ question in that a variety of ‘stands’ could be
accepted as reasonable and convincing. It could be shown that Caesar was indeed
starting to show signs of ambition, and could have posed a threat to the republic. It
could also be argued that the conspirators had found a man guilty and carried out his
execution without trial based only on the suspicion of ambition and the potential for
tyranny. A balanced coverage of both viewpoints with a conclusive stand at the end
might be a safer choice for this question, although a conclusive stand would have more
impact, especially one that questions Brutus’ wisdom and judgement, while still
acknowledging that he had some cause to doubt Caesar. A sharp, probing response
could raise the idea that it was the system of monarchy, rather than Caesar, that
Brutus objected to. Although this preserves the idea of Brutus’ honourable motives,
we could point out that his reasoning is rather abstract and ignores the good qualities
of the Caesar he knows. Therefore, on the whole, we would find that Brutus is not
justified in his decision to kill Caesar.
Possible Structure:
Introductory Paragraph – state your stand clearly, preview your main ideas briefly
Paragraph 1 - Show that Brutus had some cause for doubting Caesar and worrying about
his ambition
evidence/analysis:
- Caesar’s arrogance (from his attitude at the feast of Lupercal, dismissal of the
Soothsayer’s warning) and the fact he secretly wanted the crown although he publicly
refused it thrice when Antony offered it to him.
- The system of governance, through the Senate, came about after a period of tyrannical
rule, which Brutus’ ancestors fought against. Brutus would have good reason to fear the
return of tyranny and dictatorship. Being a scholar, he is well acquainted with the
corruption of power and abuse by those who were in Caesar’s position before
- Unlike Cassius, who has a personal grudge against Caesar, we know that Brutus has
great affection for Caesar, and his motive for joining the conspiracy is to prevent harm to
Rome
Paragraph 2 - But then argue that the evidence against Caesar was not conclusive and it
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was not fair to kill Caesar based on suspicion alone
evidence/analysis:
- Look closely at Brutus’ confused state of mind as he ponders over what to do in his
orchard. Brutus himself admits that he has not seen the negative traits he fears Caesar will
display once he is crowned (‘I have not known when his affections swayed him more than
his reason’)
- His justification for killing Caesar (to kill the serpent before it hatches) is weak, as he is
merely hypothesising what Caesar may do as there is no clear indication that Caesar is a
‘serpent’. The analogy that Brutus uses is dangerously inaccurate: while a snake is
inherently deadly, Caesar, by Brutus’ own admission, is not.
- Hence, Brutus’ arguments can be said to be flawed, as they are hypothethical and too
general.
Paragraph 3 – We could also argue that the planned assassination of Caesar is not
morally justified
evidence/analysis:
- Brutus is planning to kill one man because he says it is for the common good. This
seems to be a rather callous, utilitarian view. The conspirator’s decision to kill Caesar is
made without due process and by not allowing Caesar to stand trial (for a crime he is yet
to commit) they seem to betray the very values of democracy and the Republic they
espouse. Do the ends really justify the means? Based on the evidence before us, it would
appear not.
Analyse further: what other factors may have influenced Brutus? Was he too easily
swayed by Cassius? Was he so caught up in notions of honour and patriotism that he was
blind to Caesar’s strengths and virtues? Was Brutus so caught up in righteous fervor, that
Caesar’s weaknesses were amplified, especially after Cassius’ prodding?
possible points to raise:
- later when Cassius suggests that Mark Antony be killed along with Caesar, Brutus rejects
the idea, feeling that this would make their course too bloody. But if he were willing to kill
Caesar based on the hypothetical notion that he might be dangerous, why does he not
apply the same logic towards Mark Antony? This contradiction reveals a flaw in his logic,
making us question his judgement in deciding to kill Caesar.
- The words Brutus uses are very telling, and suggest that on a subconscious level Brutus
knows the conspiracy is wrong. Look at words like ‘stain’ and ‘drops of blood’, ‘monstrous
visage’, ‘sham’st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, when evils are most free?’.
Ironically he calls for the conspirators to hide their purpose behind ‘smiles and affability’.
The deceitful manner the conspirators go about fulfilling their purpose casts doubt on the
morality and nobility of their enterprise. It is rather startling that Brutus sees this and
acknowledges this yet appears oblivious to its implications.
Concluding Paragraph - Conclude that while you understand why Brutus’ faith in Caesar
might have been shaken and why he would object to a system of dictatorship, a close
study of his line of reasoning suggests that his reasons were not very convincing. Hence,
you feel that Brutus was not justified in killing Caesar.
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‘choose two moments’ – this is quite a popular type of question, and usually
there are more than two possible moments to choose from. You must choose
the two moments that you feel best exemplify what the question is looking for,
as well as the two moments that you feel confident writing about
(b)
Choose two moments from Act 1 and Act 2 Scene 1 and show how
Shakespeare creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension before Caesar’s
assassination.
‘show how’…‘suspense and tension’ – A
‘show how’ question requires us to study
the playwright’s craft closely…what
techniques / devices has he used to evoke
certain feelings and responses in you, the
audience?
‘from Act 1 and Act 2 Scene 1’, and ‘before Caesar’s
assassination’ – these help you determine the specific
range of content you can draw from. The phrase ‘before
Caesar’s assassination’ also provides a clue that the
‘suspense’ and ‘tension’ that the question is talking about
leads up to Caesar’s assassination.
Possible moments to choose:
1) When Caesar warns Mark Antony about Cassius in Act 1 Scene 2 (possible
approach)
We have just seen Cassius try to discern Brutus’ attitude towards Caesar and how he tries
to turn Brutus against Caesar. Caesar’s warning about Cassius seems justified and reveal
him to be an astute judge of character. However, Mark Antony casually dismisses Cassius’
threat. This creates suspense and tension through dramatic irony as we know that
Cassius does indeed pose a threat to Caesar. Mark Antony’s underestimation of Cassius
proves costly indeed. This also demonstrates how the characters continually ignore hints
and omens, such as Caesar’s dismissal of the Soothsayer and Calphurnia’s concerns.
Ironically, here it is Caesar who sounds the alarm. This creates suspense as we the
audience are given many reminders that Caesar’s assasination is imminent. It is both
frustrating and compelling for the audience to witness Caesar ignore repeated signs of
danger.
2) Cassius’ soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Scene 2
3) Casca’s encounter with Cicero in Act 1 Scene 3 (possible approach)
Casca’s fearful account of strange and supernatural sights, while a storm rages about him,
is dramatic and tense. Shakespeare has Casca tell of a terrifying earthquake, fire
dropping from the sky, a man whose hand was aflame, yet remained unscorched, a lion
roaming the streets, women traumatized by the sight of men, on fire, pacing the streets,
and the bird of night, hooting and shrieking at noonday. All these were considered ill
omens by the Elizabethans, and Shakespeare’s use of these images create a very
fearful atmosphere. In light of the conspiracy against Caesar, the audience may associate
these omens with either the threat of Caesar being crowned, or the evil behind Caesar’s
planned assassination. Cicero’s relatively stoic response to Casca’s agitated state is
striking, as he remarks that ‘men may construe things after their fashion / Clean from the
purpose of the things themselves.’ The ambiguity expressed in this pithy statement helps
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build suspense as well, as we do not know what, or who, is to blame for evoking the wrath
of the gods.
4) Casca’s conversation with Cassius in Act 1 Scene 3
5) Brutus’ soliloquy in his orchard at the beginning of Act 2 Scene 1, culminating in his
reading of the letter urging him to act
6) The meeting of the conspirators at Brutus’ house (possible approach)
The arrival of the conspirators is striking and dramatic: Lucius describes them as having
their ‘hats plucked about their ears’, and ‘half their faces buried in their cloaks’. He also
says he sees no ‘mark of favour’ in them, implying he finds them dislikeable. Lucius’
impression is significant as his relative innocence and simplicity contrasts with the
deceitful, dark nature of the conspirators. Brutus’ rhetorical question hints at their dark and
grim purpose as well: ‘Sham’st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, when evils are
most free?’ He points out their ‘monstrous image’ and feels they should ‘hide it in smiles
and affability’. Shakespeare’s portrayal of the conspirators paints them as having an evil
purpose, building tension as they converge on Brutus’ house. We know that Brutus is
honourable and noble, yet the fact that he is conspiring with these men creates tension
and suspense as we anticipate their next move. Has Brutus really fully joined the
conspiracy? As one by one Cassius introduces Brutus to the rest of the conspirators, the
audience feels a sense of dread as the heretofore imagined conspiracy is made real now,
with the solid presence of the conspirators. When Cassius asks to speak with Brutus
privately, the stage directions indicating that ‘they whisper’ creates another layer of
suspense within the scene. We the audience, just like the other conspirators, do not know
what the two of them are talking about. The comparatively banal conversation between
Casca, Cinna and Decius provides a striking contrast to the hushed conversation
between Brutus and Cassius. The audience’s eyes’ may flit from one group to the other, in
a tense moment of uncertainty. The subsequent discussion is also tense as Brutus takes
charge of the group, thrice overruling Cassius. Cassius’ silence is puzzling, as he seemed
more forceful and assertive in Act 1. The audience may detect some simmering tension
here. When the clock strikes, it is a grim reminder that the moment of Caesar’s
assassination draws ever nearer, and the suspense increases.
7) Portia’s desperate plea to Brutus to tell her what ails him
You should be very familiar with the moments you choose, and be able to produce several
key quotes to support your points.
Any other possible moments that are presented with sound reasoning and convincing
evidence will be accepted.
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(c)
(i) How does Shakespeare make this passage so dramatically effective?
Possible points to raise, which must be closely linked to the idea of being
‘dramatically effective’:
- Decius’ question about whether anyone else should be dealt with besides Caesar
reminds the audience of the murderous purpose of the conspirators, and the sober reality
that often, murder breeds more murder, and one evil deed leads to yet more.
- Cassius’ shrewd assessment of Mark Antony’s danger to the conspirators parallels
Caesar’s own warning to Mark Antony about Cassius. Here it is Brutus who dismisses
Cassius’s advice and warning.
- Brutus’ reluctance to kill Mark Antony as he does not want their course to seem ‘too
bloody’ demonstrates both his honour and naiveté. It is unnerving perhaps to hear Brutus
speaking of cutting off the head (Caesar) yet not wanting to hack off the limbs (Mark
Antony). Brutus may be noble, but he does not seem to have the gumption or the
ruthlessness to take all the necessary actions to ensure the success of the conspirators
- Brutus’ comparison, that they should carve Caesar ‘as a dish fit for the gods’ rather than
‘hew him as a carcass fit for hounds’, meant to ennoble their actions, may not be as
convincing as he desires, as the act of murder is gruesome enough in both scenarios.
- Brutus continues to emphasise the importance of their intent: they are ‘purgers’, not
‘murderers’, they are to kill him ‘boldly’, not ‘wrathfully’. It is unclear how the rest of the
conspirators react to Brutus’ quibbles, but one could imagine that some might not
appreciate the difference. Murder is murder, after all…
- When Cassius urges Brutus to reconsider his attitude towards Antony, Brutus stands his
ground. This is a moment of tension between Brutus and Cassius, as Brutus’ idealism is
pitted against Cassius’ pragmatism. For now, Cassius lets it slide, deferring to Brutus.
Trebonius’ lighthearted interjection that they should let Antony live and that later, they
would all live and laugh about it hereafter could be an attempt to lighten the tense
atmosphere. The dramatic distraction of the clock striking further diverts their attention to
other matters.
- This moment also foreshadows Mark Antony’s role later in the play, masterfully turning
the mob against the conspirators and eventually waging a war against them.
(ii) How has the relationship between Brutus and Cassius changed at this point?
Refer closely to this scene and the rest of Act 1 and Act 2 Scene 1 in your answer.
Brutus and Cassius may not have been very close at the beginning of the play, but
Cassius’ words strike a chord with Brutus, enough for Brutus to make a
commitment to speak with Cassius further
- we must point out that in Act 1 Scene 2, Cassius appeared to be the more assertive of
the two. Cassius was actively courting Brutus, trying to discern where Brutus’ loyalties lay
and then cunningly trying to turn Brutus against Caesar.
- at that point, Brutus was still disoriented and confused (‘at war with himself’, as he had
not yet decided how to respond to his fears about his friend Caesar becoming a tyrant.
Cassius’ prodding seems to have pushed him closer to making a definitive decision.
The two are brought together by a common end, although they have different
motives and intent.
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Cassius has been integral in assembling the conspirators, and was the driving force
behind their plans. Now that Brutus has come on board, the dynamics of the group
have changed, and Brutus (quite naturally and without objection from the rest) takes
on a leadership role.
- in Act 2 Scene 1, however, Brutus has already decided what to do. He is still plagued
with doubt, but tries to justify his decision.
- the moment the rest of the conspirators arrive, Cassius requests to speak to Brutus in
private. This underscores the pivotal roles both men have played in the progression and
development of the conspirator’s plans.
- However, once the group starts the discussion, Brutus takes on the role of leader. He
overrules Cassius three times, with Cassius eventually deferring. It is clear that Cassius,
now that he has won over Brutus completely, does not want to risk the unity of the
conspirators. He knows that the rest have deep respect for Brutus, so even though it is
against his better judgement, he does not continue to challenge Brutus’ decision.
Cassius now has to balance his shrewd intelligence and pragmatism with Brutus’
ideals, and has to tread carefully lest he offends Brutus and causes a rift within the ranks.
From being led by Cassius’ manipulations earlier, Brutus now takes charge of the
conspirators and tries to colour their purpose with his ideals. If he is aware of their less
than noble reasons for wanting to kill Caesar, he makes no mention of it, trying instead to
cast their actions in an honourable light. It is a tenous relationship between Cassius and
Brutus at this point, as both want the same thing (Caesar’s death) for entirely different
reasons.
Set by: Ahmad Hashikin
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