The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 5: Developing Central Ideas Answers

What is the best definition of the literary term allusion?

Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. Hath Cassius livedTo be but mirth and laughter to his BrutusWhen 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 meWhen that rash humour which my mother gave meMakes 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.

Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[ANTONY.] And now, Octavius,Listen great things—Brutus and CassiusAre 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.

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.Excerpt:[FLAVIUS.] See whether their basest mettle be not moved.They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.Go you down that way towards the Capitol;This way will I. Disrobe the imagesIf you do find them decked with ceremonies.MARULLUS. May we do so?You know it is the feast of Lupercal.FLAVIUS. It is no matter; let no imagesBe hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about,And drive away the vulgar from the streets:So do you too, where you perceive them thick.These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wingWill make him fly an ordinary pitch,Who else would soar above the view of men,And keep us all in servile fearfulness.Background information:In Rome, February 15 was Lupercalia, an annual festival celebrating the myth of the she-wolf that saved the lives of the infant twins Romulus and Remus. According to legend, the two boys became the founders of Rome. The festival is also said to have celebrated the god who protected flocks from hungry wolves.

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 AntonyCome 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 LepidusHave put to death an hundred senators.BRUTUS. Therein our letters do not well agree.Mine speak of seventy senators that diedBy their proscriptions, Cicero being one.CASSIUS. Cicero one!MESSALA. Ay, Cicero is dead,And by that order of proscription.

Which quotation from Julius Caesar is an example of a literary allusion?

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.Excerpt:CASSIUS. There’s a bargain made.Now know you, Casca, I have moved alreadySome certain of the noblest-minded RomansTo undergo with me an enterpriseOf honourable dangerous consequence.And I do know by this, they stay for meIn Pompey’s Porch. For now this fearful nightThere is no stir or walking in the streets;And the complexion of the elementIn favour’s like the work we have in hand,Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.Background information:Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known in English as Pompey the Great, was a Roman general and political leader. Together with Caesar and Crassus, Pompey ruled as a member of the first Roman triumvirate. As a leader, Pompey was a capable administrator and helped Rome grow and prosper. Among other projects, he built a large amphitheater in Rome. This amphitheater was named after him, and its annex became known as Pompey’s Porch. During this time, Pompey married Caesar’s daughter, Julia. After her death, however, Pompey and Caesar began to grow apart, and within a few years, Pompey sided with the senate against Caesar. War followed. In 48 BCE, Pompey’s armies were defeated, and he was murdered by former allies who were afraid of Caesar’s power.

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 appearAs huge as high Olympus.