Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [BRUTUS.] With this, she fell distraught, And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire. CASSIUS: And died so? BRUTUS: Even so. CASSIUS: O ye immortal gods! [Enter LUCIUS, with wine and taper] BRUTUS: Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. CASSIUS: My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. [Exit LUCIUS. Enter TITINIUS, with MESSALA] BRUTUS: Come in, Titinius; welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities. CASSIUS: Portia, art thou gone? BRUTUS: No more, I pray you. What moral dilemma does Brutus confront in this excerpt?
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. CASSIUS: Ha! Portia? BRUTUS: She is dead. CASSIUS: How scaped I killing when I crossed you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness? BRUTUS: Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong—for with her death That tidings came. With this, she fell distraught, And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire. Why is this excerpt an example of situational irony?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 2, scene 1. PORTIA: Brutus, my lord. BRUTUS: Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now? It is not for your health thus to commit Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. PORTIA: Nor for yours neither. You’ve ungently, Brutus, Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper You suddenly arose, and walked about Musing and sighing, with your arms across, And when I asked you what the matter was, You stared upon me with ungentle looks. I urged you further; then you scratched your head, And too impatiently stamped with your foot. Yet I insisted, yet you answered not, But with an angry wafture of your hand Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, Fearing to strengthen that impatience Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal Hoping it was but an effect of humour, Which sometime hath his hour with every man. It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, And could it work so much upon your shape As it hath much prevailed on your condition, I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. BRUTUS: I am not well in health, and that is all. Which statement best summarizes the conflict in this passage?
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [ PORTIA: ] You’ve ungently, Brutus, Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper You suddenly arose, and walked about Musing and sighing, with your arms across, And when I asked you what the matter was, You stared upon me with ungentle looks. I urged you further; then you scratched your head, And too impatiently stamped with your foot. Yet I insisted, yet you answered not, But with an angry wafture of your hand Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, Fearing to strengthen that impatience Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal Hoping it was but an effect of humour, Which sometime hath his hour with every man. It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, And could it work so much upon your shape As it hath much prevailed on your condition, I should not know you Brutus. Dear my lord, Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. BRUTUS: I am not well in health, and that is all. PORTIA: Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, He would embrace the means to come by it. . . . You have some sick offence within your mind Which by the right and virtue of my place, I ought to know of. And upon my knees, I charm you by my once-commended beauty, By all your vows of love, and that great vow Which did incorporate and make us one, That you unfold to me, your self, your half, Why you are heavy, and what men tonight Have had resort to you—for here have been Some six or seven, who did hide their faces Even from darkness. BRUTUS: Kneel not, gentle Portia. . . . You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. What external conflict does Portia want Brutus to reveal to her?
Read the passage from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Kneel not, gentle Portia. . . . You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. PORTIA: If this were true, then should I know this secret. . . . Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose 'em. I have made strong proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound Here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience, And not my husband’s secrets? Which tragic element reveals the theme that lying to one's spouse can lead to tragedy?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 2. CASCA: I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure (265) Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man. BRUTUS: What said he when he came unto himself? (270) CASCA: Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me open his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, (275) I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. Which prediction about the plot does this passage most support?
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 2, of Julius Caesar . [Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA] BRUTUS: Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Unto the legions on the other side. [Loud alarum] Let them set on at once, for I perceive But cold demeanour in Octavius’ wing, And sudden push gives them the overthrow. Ride, ride, Messala, let them all come down. [Exeunt] What does Shakespeare mean by the phrase "cold demeanour” as spoken by Brutus in this passage?
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: It must be by his death: and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel Will bear no colour for the thing he is, Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, Would run to these and these extremities; And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. How does the characterization of Caesar in this passage connect to the central idea of the passage?
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . [BRUTUS.] Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel Will bear no colour for the thing he is, Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, Would run to these and these extremities; And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. Which quotations support the central idea that Brutus thinks Caesar is dangerous and needs to be killed before he becomes even more dangerous? Choose three correct answers.
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 2, scene 1. BRUTUS: It must be by his death: and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, (5) And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar . . .(10) Which statement best describes the meaning of the imagery in the line "It is the bright day that brings forth the adder”? (An adder is a snake.)
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 2, scene 1. BRUTUS: It must be by his death: and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,* And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. *An adder is a snake. Which summary of the passage is the best ?
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 2, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king. CASSIUS: Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. BRUTUS: I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye and death i’th’ other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. What is the effect of Cassius's question on Brutus?
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 2, of Julius Caesar . CASSIUS: To every new protester; if you know That I do fawn on men and hug them hard And after scandal them: or if you know That I profess myself in banqueting To all the rout: then hold me dangerous. [Flourish, and shout] Which statement best explains why Shakespeare has Cassius use the word fawn rather than a synonym such as flatter to describe his actions?
Read the two excerpts from act 4, scene 3, and act 5, scene 5, of Julius Caesar . CASSIUS: Ha! Portia? BRUTUS: She is dead. CASSIUS: How scaped I killing when I crossed you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness? BRUTUS: Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong—for with her death That tidings came. With this, she fell distraught, And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire. 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. . . . 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. . . . 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? Which statement best compares Brutus’s remarks at the death of his wife, Portia, to his words before his own death?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 5, scene 5. 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, (5) 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. (10) Our enemies have beat us to the pit, [Low alarums] It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Than tarry till they push us. Which conclusion does this excerpt best support?
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [BRUTUS.] Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but laboured to attain this hour. . . . 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. . . . Caesar, now be still: I killed not thee with half so good a will. Which piece of evidence best supports the theme that dignity has a high cost?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 5, scene 5. 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. Which prediction about the plot does this passage most support?
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 5, of Julius Caesar . [BRUTUS.] 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. . . . 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. . . . 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. Which paraphrase from the passage best explains Brutus’s motivation in this scene?
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains. Excerpt: [ BRUTUS: ] 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. . . . 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. . . . 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. . . . Caesar, now be still: I killed not thee with half so good a will. Background information: The first book of Samuel in the Bible tells the story of Saul, who asks his armor-bearer to kill him when he is faced with defeat by religious enemies. When the man refuses, Saul falls on his sword rather than be captured by people who he is certain would not only kill him but also abuse him. How does the allusion in this excerpt from Julius Caesar affect the reader’s understanding of the plot?
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