Why does Caesar say that he was ashamed of himself?
He is ashamed that he 'yielded' to Calpurnia's fears, which he now views as 'foolish' after being manipulated by Decius's words.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for explaining that Caesar was ashamed of yielding to Calpurnia's fears, which he now viewed as foolish after Decius's persuasion.
Hint
Think about what Decius said that made Caesar regret his earlier decision to stay home for Calpurnia.
Quick Oral Answer
Caesar feels ashamed because, after Decius reinterpreted Calpurnia's dream and mentioned the crown, he realized he had weakly yielded to his wife's fears, which he now considers foolish and unworthy of a Roman leader.
Analysis & Explanation
This question tests comprehension of Caesar's emotional state after Decius's manipulation. The answer must clearly connect Caesar's shame to his having 'yielded' to Calpurnia's fears, and then explain why he now sees that yielding as foolish. Decius achieves this by offering a flattering reinterpretation of Calpurnia's dream and dangling the promise of a crown. Caesar, whose public image and sense of Roman honour matter deeply to him, feels embarrassed that he almost stayed home due to a woman's nightmares. The word 'ashamed' is significant because it reveals Caesar's internal conflict between personal caution and public persona. He equates listening to his wife with showing weakness, which in Roman culture was deeply dishonourable for a leader. A frequent student error is writing that Caesar is ashamed of his own pride or arrogance, which reverses the actual meaning. He is not ashamed of being proud; he is ashamed of having momentarily NOT been proud enough. Another mistake is ignoring Decius's role as the catalyst. The question asks 'why', so students must identify the cause (Decius's persuasion made him view Calpurnia's concerns as foolish) and the effect (he feels shame at having yielded). This understanding of cause-and-effect in dramatic situations is a key skill tested in CBSE literature questions.
Common Mistakes
- 1Writing that Caesar is ashamed of his own pride or arrogance, which is the opposite of the actual reason. He is ashamed of having shown weakness by yielding to Calpurnia's fears.
- 2Ignoring the role of Decius Brutus in triggering Caesar's shame. Students must mention that Decius's manipulation is what made Caesar view his earlier decision as foolish.
- 3Confusing the chronological sequence: Caesar first agreed to stay home (yielded), then Decius spoke, and THEN Caesar felt ashamed. Some students reverse this order in their answers.
Interesting Facts
In Roman culture, a man's public reputation (dignitas) was considered more important than personal safety. Caesar's shame at appearing weak reflects the actual Roman value system where honour and public standing were paramount.
The real Decius Brutus (Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus) was one of Caesar's most trusted generals, which made his betrayal even more devastating. Shakespeare slightly altered his name to 'Decius' to avoid confusion with Marcus Brutus.
Caesar's assassination on March 15, 44 BC involved 23 stab wounds from approximately 60 conspirators, though historians like Suetonius note that only one wound, the second blow to his chest, was actually fatal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made Caesar feel ashamed of his earlier decision?
Decius Brutus made Caesar feel ashamed by reinterpreting Calpurnia's dream as a positive omen and by mentioning that the senate planned to offer Caesar a crown, making Caesar feel foolish for having yielded to fear.
Does Caesar's shame reveal a weakness in his character?
Yes, his shame shows he values public image and glory over genuine caution. He would rather risk his life than appear weak or afraid, which is a tragic flaw that contributes to his assassination.
What does 'yielded' mean in the context of Caesar's shame?
In this context, 'yielded' means Caesar gave in to or submitted to Calpurnia's pleas to stay home. After Decius's persuasion, Caesar views this submission as a moment of weakness that embarrasses him.