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 standOne 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 earsAnd graze in commons.
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 2, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[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 describedA hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucillius:When love begins to sicken and decayIt 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.
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.
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