The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 3: Drawing Conclusions
Question 8 of 10 • LA-English Language Arts 10
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 2, scene 1.BRUTUS Give me your hands all over, one by one.CASSIUS And let us swear our resolution.BRUTUS No, not an oath. If not the face of men, The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—120 If these be motives weak, break off betimes, And every man hence to his idle bed. So let high-sighted tyranny range on Till each man drop by lottery. But if these— As I am sure they do—bear fire enough125 To kindle cowards and to steel with valor The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, What need we any spur but our own cause To prick us to redress? What other bond Than secret Romans that have spoke the word130 And will not palter? And what other oath Than honesty to honesty engaged, That this shall be, or we will fall for it? Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls135 That welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swear Such creatures as men doubt. But do not stain The even virtue of our enterprise, Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits, To think that or our cause or our performance140 Did need an oath, when every drop of blood That every Roman bears—and nobly bears— Is guilty of a several bastardy If he do break the smallest particle Of any promise that hath passed from him.145
Answer
A
It gives Brutus and the others an excuse to drop the plan.
B
It shows that Brutus and the others are afraid.
C
It illustrates Brutus’s resolve and commitment.
D
It exemplifies Brutus’s mistrust of the other men.