Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.ANTONY. Post back with speed, and tell him [Octavius] what hath chanced.Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.Hie hence and tell him so.—Yet stay awhile.Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpseInto the market-place. There shall I tryIn my oration how the people takeThe cruel issue of these bloody men;According to the which, thou shalt discourseTo young Octavius of the state of things.Lend me your hand.[Exeunt with CAESAR’s body]
Read the passage from act 5, scene 4, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.LUCILLIUS. Only I yield to die. There is so much, that thou wilt kill me straight:[Offering money]Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death.FIRST SOLDIER. We must not.—A noble prisoner!SECOND SOLDIER. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.FIRST SOLDIER. I’ll tell the news. Here comes the general.—[Enter ANTONY]Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.ANTONY. Where is he?LUCILLIUS. Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough.I dare assure thee that no enemyShall ever take alive the noble Brutus.The gods defend him from so great a shame. When you do find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself.ANTONY. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you,A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe.Give him all kindness. I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead,And bring us word unto Octavius’ tentHow everything is chanced.[Exeunt]
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.[CASSIUS.] And this manIs now become a god, and Cassius isA wretched creature, and must bend his bodyIf Caesar carelessly but nod on him.125He had a fever when he was in Spain,And when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake.His coward lips did from their colour fly,And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world130Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan:Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the RomansMark him and write his speeches in their books,"Alas,” it cried "Give me some drink, Titinius,”As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me60135A man of such a feeble temper shouldSo get the start of the majestic world,And bear the palm alone.
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[Enter the Ghost of CAESAR]How ill this taper burns! Ha! Who comes here?I think it is the weakness of mine eyesThat shapes this monstrous apparition.It comes upon me. Art thou any thing?Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.GHOST. Thy evil spirit, Brutus.BRUTUS. Why comest thou?GHOST. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.BRUTUS. Well; then I shall see thee again?GHOST. Ay, at Philippi.BRUTUS. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then.[Exit GHOST]
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 2, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.Excerpt:[DECIUS.] It was a vision fair and fortunate.Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,In which so many smiling Romans bathed,Signifies that from you great Rome shall suckReviving blood, and that great men shall pressFor tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.Background information:In medieval times, it was customary to dip handkerchiefs into the blood of martyrs and other great people. Doing so turned the handkerchiefs into relics for worship or inspiration.
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