Read the two excerpts from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . Excerpt 1: BRUTUS: Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word. VOLUMNIUS: What says my lord? BRUTUS: Why this, Volumnius. The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me Two several times by night—at Sardis once, And this last night, here in Philippi fields. I know my hour is come. VOLUMNIUS: Not so, my lord. BRUTUS: Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes. Our enemies have beat us to the pit; [Low alarums] It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st that we two went to school together. Even for that, our love of old, I prithee, Hold thou my sword hilts, whilst I run on it. VOLUMNIUS: That's not an office for a friend, my lord. Excerpt 2: BRUTUS: Hence, I will follow. [Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS] I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. Thou art a fellow of a good respect. Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it. Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? STRATO: Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. How do the moral dilemmas of Volumnius and Strato compare?
Read the passage from act 5, scene 4, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . ANTONY: This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe. Give him all kindness. I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead, And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent How everything is chanced. Which piece of evidence best expresses the theme of this passage?
Read the passage from act 5, scene 4, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . LUCILLIUS: Only I yield to die. There is so much, that thou wilt kill me straight: [Offering money] Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death. FIRST SOLDIER: We must not.—A noble prisoner! SECOND SOLDIER: Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en. FIRST SOLDIER: I’ll tell the news. Here comes the general.— [Enter ANTONY] Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord. ANTONY: Where is he? LUCILLIUS: Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough. I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. The gods defend him from so great a shame. When you do find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself. ANTONY: This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe. Give him all kindness. I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead, And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent How everything is chanced. [Exeunt] Which statement best explains what takes place in this passage?
Read the passage from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius. Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep. Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, My heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me. I shall have glory by this losing day, More than Octavius and Mark Antony By this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongue Hath almost ended his life’s history. Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but laboured to attain this hour. [Alarum. Cry within, "Fly, fly, fly!”] CLITUS: Fly, my lord, fly! BRUTUS: Hence, I will follow. [Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS] I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. Thou art a fellow of a good respect. Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it. Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? STRATO: Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. BRUTUS: Farewell, good Strato. [Runs on his sword] Caesar, now be still: I killed not thee with half so good a will. What evidence from this passage supports the theme that there can be honor in defeat? Choose three correct answers.
Which statement describes a catastrophe in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar ?
Which character in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar must decide whether or not to join the conspiracy to kill his friend Caesar?
Which statement best describes the theme of a fictional text?
Which statements about a moral dilemma apply to the character of Mark Antony? Choose two correct answers.
What is the definition of catharsis ?
Did you find these answers helpful?