Question 2 of 25 • Capozzi - Literature and Composition II B - ACTIVE
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?
Answer
A
Brutus shows extreme sorrow and regret over both deaths.
B
Brutus is matter of fact when talking about both deaths, but he takes time for reflection when talking about his own impending death.
C
Brutus uses more imagery when speaking about Portia’s death and is direct when speaking of his own.
D
Brutus explains how Portia died, but he completely avoids talking about his own death.