Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 2, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesa r. [ BRUTUS: ] He is not doubted—A word, Lucillius. How he received you let me be resolved. LUCILLIUS: With courtesy and with respect enough, But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, As he hath used of old. BRUTUS: Thou hast described A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucillius: When love begins to sicken and decay It useth an enforcèd ceremony. There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, Make gallant show and promise of their mettle; But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests and, like deceitful jades, Sink in the trial. Which central idea is reflected in this passage?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [Exit LEPIDUS] ANTONY: This is a slight, unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands. Is it fit, The three-fold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it? OCTAVIUS: So you thought him, And took his voice who should be pricked to die, In our black sentence and proscription. ANTONY: Octavius, I have seen more days than you. And though we lay these honors on this man. To ease ourselves of divers sland’rous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears And graze in commons. What does this interaction reveal about Antony? Choose two correct answers.
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [ ANTONY: ] And now, Octavius, Listen great things—Brutus and Cassius Are levying powers. We must straight make head. Therefore let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, our means stretched, And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclosed, And open perils surest answerèd. OCTAVIUS: Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bayed about with many enemies; And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischiefs. Which correctly reflects a conflict of character vs character?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [Enter the Ghost of CAESAR] How ill this taper burns! Ha! Who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art. GHOST: Thy evil spirit, Brutus. BRUTUS: Why comest thou? GHOST: To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. BRUTUS: Well; then I shall see thee again? GHOST: Ay, at Philippi. BRUTUS: Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. [Exit GHOST] Knowing that Brutus does see Caesar’s ghost again at Phillippi as suggested in the passage, what central idea does this passage develop?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [ CASSIUS: ] A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. BRUTUS: I do not, till you practice them on me. CASSIUS: You love me not. BRUTUS: I do not like your faults. CASSIUS: A friendly eye could never see such faults. BRUTUS: A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. How does the allusion in this passage connect to the central idea of the passage?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Remember March, the ides of March, remember. Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake? What villain touched his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be graspèd thus? I had rather be a dog and bay the moon Than such a Roman. CASSIUS: Brutus, bay not me. I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, Older in practise, abler than yourself To make conditions. BRUTUS: Go to, you are not, Cassius. CASSIUS: I am. BRUTUS: I say you are not. CASSIUS: Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health. Tempt me no further. BRUTUS: Away, slight man! Which evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Brutus and Cassius are in conflict? Choose two correct answers.
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . CASSIUS: Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him? BRUTUS: When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too. CASSIUS: Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. BRUTUS: And my heart too. CASSIUS: O Brutus! BRUTUS: What’s the matter? CASSIUS: Have not you love enough to bear with me When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? BRUTUS: Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so. How does the characterization in this passage connect to its central idea?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [ BRUTUS: ] Messala, I have here receivèd letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us. . . . MESSALA: Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. BRUTUS: With what addition? MESSALA: That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus Have put to death an hundred senators. BRUTUS: Therein our letters do not well agree. Mine speak of seventy senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. CASSIUS: Cicero one! MESSALA: Ay, Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription. What is the central idea of this excerpt?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes a while, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? LUCIUS: Ay, my lord, an’t please you. BRUTUS: It does, my boy. I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. LUCIUS: It is my duty, sir. BRUTUS: I should not urge thy duty past thy might. I know young bloods look for a time of rest. LUCIUS: I have slept, my lord, already. BRUTUS: It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again. I will not hold thee long. If I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song] This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, That plays thee music?—Gentle knave, good night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. If thou dost nod thou break’st thy instrument; I’ll take it from thee, and, good boy, good night. Let me see, let me see, is not the leaf turned down Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. What does this interaction reveal about Brutus’s character? Choose two correct answers.
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