Hibiscus Teach · Vids
Learn English with Rome
Pride, Persuasion and Forgiveness
Follow competing arguments, interpret a change in tone and respond to disagreement or an apology.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Content note: Adults only: strong language, a crude sexual remark and discussion of war. These are fictionalised scenes, not a historical source.
A little context: Caesar and Pompey are rivals. Antony and Posca advise Caesar in the first scene. Later, Brutus and Cicero approach him after their side’s defeat.
On my own: Watch for the situation. Review the vocabulary, replay for detail, then check your answers. Choose a speaking prompt and answer aloud.
With my tutor: Explain your answers and develop your speaking with reasons or examples.
These words help you discuss the scenes; not all are spoken in the clips. All examples and practice expressions are original teaching material.
A difficult agreement
Caesar discusses a proposed truce with Antony and Posca. Listen for their different reasons.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer per question.
Use the answer key to check your choices.
Answer key and explanations
- B. He accepts Caesar’s terms. Caesar had expected refusal.
- C. It could damage his claim to seek peace. He is concerned about how an attack would appear.
- A. Accept the truce. Posca favours peace.
- B. He argues against showing mercy. Antony rejects Posca’s approach.
- C. A recognised claim to authority. Posca refers to legitimacy, not military strength.
- A. Pompey refuses to meet him in person. He focuses on the refusal of a personal meeting.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · A passive condition with an understood subject
“He’ll suck Posca’s cock, if asked nicely.”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
If asked nicely reduces if he is asked nicely. The understood subject is the person in the main clause, not Posca. The clause retains the condition; it does not assert that anyone has already asked.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Use a reason or example to develop your answer.
- How does Caesar’s concern differ from Antony’s? Use one detail from the exchange.
- Why can a public disagreement be harder to resolve than a private one?
- Your colleague offers a compromise, but one condition worries you. Respond politely and suggest a change.
Need an idea for prompt 3?
I see your point, but I have some reservations about the deadline. Could we keep the same plan and allow one extra day?
An unexpected welcome
Brutus and Cicero approach Caesar after their side’s defeat. Notice how he responds.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer per question.
Use the answer key to check your choices.
Answer key and explanations
- A. He expresses pleasure that they are alive. His opening greeting is welcoming.
- C. He is not asking for mercy. He presents surrender as an honourable act, not a plea.
- B. A quarrel between friends. He uses a smaller, more personal description.
- C. Brutus did what he believed was honourable. He acknowledges Brutus’s difficult position.
- A. He is alive and does not plan to surrender. His survival is confirmed, but not his surrender.
- B. Turns his attention to their hunger and thirst. He moves from questions to hospitality.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · A fused relative naming the action
“You did only what you thought honorable.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
What you thought honorable means the action or actions you considered honourable. What combines the antecedent and relative link; it does not ask a direct question. Only limits the action taken.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Use a reason or example to develop your answer.
- What effect might Caesar’s friendly language have on Brutus and Cicero? Support your interpretation with a detail.
- What is the difference between forgiving someone and trusting them again? Use a general or fictional example.
- A colleague apologises for letting you down on a project. Accept the apology and explain what needs to change.
Need an idea for prompt 3?
Thank you for apologising. I’m willing to move on, but we need to rebuild trust. Next time, please tell me as soon as there is a problem.
Listen and repeat
These are original practice expressions, not programme quotations. Listen, repeat, then use one in a different situation.
Download the full British-English MP3
I see your point, but I have some reservations.
Disagree without dismissing someone.
Could we agree on terms that work for both of us?
Invite a workable compromise.
I regret how I handled the situation.
Acknowledge your part in a problem.
I’m willing to move on, but we need to rebuild trust.
Accept an apology while setting a condition.
Vocabulary review · 8 items
1–2 minGrammar masteryC1 · Fronted negative time
“Never thought for an instant Pompey would accept such terms.”
From this lesson’s clip, quotation excerpt
Fronted not for an instant triggers inversion in the main clause. Would accept remains the expected later action viewed from then.