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 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?
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
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 ourselvesThan 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’ tongueHath 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 faceWhile 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.
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 AntonyHave made themselves so strong—for with her deathThat tidings came. With this, she fell distraught,And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.BRUTUS. Why this, Volumnius.The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to meTwo 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 ourselvesThan 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’ tongueHath 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 faceWhile I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 2, scene 1.BRUTUS. It must be by his death: and for my partI know no personal cause to spurn at himBut 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 himThat at his will he may do danger with.*An adder is a snake.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.OCTAVIUS. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered.You said the enemy would not come down,But keep the hills and upper regions.It proves not so; their battles are at hand.They mean to warn us at Philippi here,Answering before we do demand of them.ANTONY. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I knowWherefore they do it: they could be contentTo visit other places; and come downWith fearful bravery, thinking by this faceTo fasten in our thoughts that they have courage;But 'tis not so.
What does this interaction reveal about Brutus’s character? Select two options.
Read the passage from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word.VOLUMNIUS. What says my lord?BRUTUS. Why this, Volumnius.The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to meTwo 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 ourselvesThan 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.
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. O ye gods,Render me worthy of this noble wife![Knocking within]Hark, hark, one knocks. Portia, go in a while,And by and by thy bosom shall partakeThe secrets of my heart.All my engagements I will construe to thee,All the charactery of my sad brows.Leave me with haste.[Exit PORTIA]
What are the purposes of the imagery in this excerpt? Select three options.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.OCTAVIUS. Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. If you dare fight to-day, come to the field. If not, when you have stomachs.
What is the definition of catharsis?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 1.[FLAVIUS.] Go you down that way towards the Capitol; This way will I. Disrobe the images, If you do find them decked with ceremonies.MARULLUS. May we do so?65 You know it is the feast of Lupercal.FLAVIUS. It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about, And drive away the vulgar from the streets: So do you too, where you perceive them thick.70 These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, Who else would soar above the view of men, And keep us all in servile fearfulness. [Exeunt]
Which evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Brutus and Cassius are in conflict? Select two options.
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