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.
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 Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. I know where I will wear this dagger then:Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.Given Cassius's statement about himself here, which hypothetical action would be an example of situational irony? Select two options.Cassius ends up helping to kill Caesar.Cassius ends up sharing power with Brutus.Cassius ends up being a victim of Mark Antony's wrath.Cassius ends up causing the thing he tries to escape.Cassius ends up banishing Caesar from Rome.
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.CASCA. You shall confess that you are both deceived.Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,Which is a great way growing on the south,Weighing the youthful season of the year.Some two months hence up higher toward the northHe first presents his fire, and the high eastStands, as the Capitol, directly here.BRUTUS. Give me your hands all over, one by one.CASSIUS. And let us swear our resolution.BRUTUS. No, not an oath. If not the face of men,The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—If these be motives weak, break off betimes,And every man hence to his idle bed.
Which statement gives evidence for Brutus's tragic flaw in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
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!
Which conclusions does this excerpt best support? Select two options.
Which details should be included in a paraphrase of the passage? Select three options.
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 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 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 act 3, scene 2, of Julius Caesar.[BRUTUS.] Who is here sovile that will not love his country? If any, speak,for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.ALL. None, Brutus, none.BRUTUS. Then none have I offended. I have doneno more toCaesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question ofhis death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offencesenforced, for which he suffered death.[Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR’s body]Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who,though he had no hand in his death, shall receivethe benefit of his dying: a place in thecommonwealth—as which of you shall not? With thisI depart: that, as I slew my best lover for thegood of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,when it shall please my country to need my death.
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?
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