Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.MESSENGER. Prepare you, generals.The enemy comes on in gallant show.Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,And something to be done immediately.ANTONY. Octavius, lead your battle softly on,Upon the left hand of the even field.OCTAVIUS. Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left.
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?Poor man, I know he would not be a wolfBut that he sees the Romans are but sheep.He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome?What rubbish, and what offal? when it servesFor the base matter to illuminateSo vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this Before a willing bondman: then I know My answer must be made. But I am armed And dangers are to me indifferent.CASCA. You speak to Casca, and to such a manThat is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand.Be factious for redress of all these griefsAnd I will set this foot of mine as farAs who goes farthest.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.
Which quotations support the central idea that Brutus thinks it will do no harm and may actually benefit the conspirators if they let Antony give the eulogy at Caesar’s funeral? Select two options.
Read the two excerpts from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.Excerpt 1:[BRUTUS.] Since Cassius first did whet me against CaesarI have not slept.Between the acting of a dreadful thingAnd the first motion, all the interim isLike a phantasma or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instrumentsAre then in council, and the state of man,Like to a little kingdom, suffers thenThe nature of an insurrection.Excerpt 2:BRUTUS. Kneel not, gentle Portia. . . .You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy dropsThat 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 woundHere in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience,And not my husband's secrets?
Which conclusions does this excerpt best support? Select two options.
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.CASCA. I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure265Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did notclap him and hiss him, according as he pleased anddispleased them, as they use to do the players inthe theatre, I am no true man.BRUTUS. What said he when he came unto himself?270CASCA. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived thecommon herd was glad he refused the crown, heplucked me open his doublet and offered them histhroat to cut. A
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 with a mighty power,Bending their expedition toward Philippi.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.
Read the two excerpts from act 3, scene 2, of Julius Caesar.SECOND PLEBEIAN. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.FIRST PLEBEIAN. Peace, ho!BRUTUS. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speechTending to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony,By our permission, is allowed to make.I do entreat you, not a man departSave I alone till Antony have spoke.[Exit]SECOND PLEBEIAN. Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.THIRD PLEBEI
Which evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Cassius and Brutus have reconciled? Select two options.
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.CASCA. Why, there was a crown offered him: and beingoffered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.230BRUTUS. What was the second noise for?CASCA. Why, for that too.CASSIUS. They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?CASCA. Why, for that too.BRUTUS. Was the crown offered him thrice?235CASCA. Ay, marry, was’t; and he put it by thrice, everytime gentler than other; and at every putting by,mine honest neighbours shouted.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.ANTONY. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar: You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet, Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind, Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. Messala.MESSALA, standing forth. What says my general?CASSIUS. Messala, This is my birthday; as this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. Be thou my witness that, against my will, As Pompey was, am I compelled to set Upon one battle all our liberties. You know that I held Epicurus strong And his opinion. Now I change my mind, And partly credit things that do presage. Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign Two migh
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.SOOTHSAYER. Caesar!15CAESAR. Ha! who calls?CASCA. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again.CAESAR. Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music Cry "Caesar!” Speak. Caesar is turned to hear.20SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March.CAESAR. What man is that?BRUTUS. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.CAESAR. Set him before me; let me see his face.CASSIUS. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar 25CAESAR. What say’st thou to me now? Speak once again.SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March.CAESAR. He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass!
Read the passage from act 5, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[TITINIUS.] Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?Did I not meet thy friends, and did not theyPut on my brows this wreath of victory,And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything!But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow. Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and IWill do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.By your leave, gods,—this is a Roman’s part:Come, Cassius’ sword, and find Titinius’ heart.
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.CASSIUS. 'Tis just;And it is very much lamented, Brutus,60That you have no such mirrors as will turnYour hidden worthiness into your eye,That you might see your shadow. I have heardWhere many of the best respect in Rome—Except immortal Caesar—speaking of Brutus,65And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
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