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?
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 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 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?
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