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 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 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 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 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,Like wrath in death and envy afterwards—For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,And in the spirit of men there is no blood.O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit,And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully.Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,Stir up their servants to an act of rage,And after seem to chide 'em. This shall makeOur purpose necessary, and not envious;Which so appearing to the common eyes,We shall be called purgers, not murderers.And for Mark Antony, think not of him,For he can do no more than Caesar’s armWhen Caesar’s head is off.
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.
What effect does Brutus's secrecy have on his wife, Portia? Select three options.
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 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.
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 Ro
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 statement gives evidence for Brutus's tragic flaw in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
Which conclusions does this excerpt best support? Select two options.
Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.ANTONY. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope: that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
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 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 evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Cassius and Brutus have reconciled? Select two options.
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 excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. It must be by his death: and for my part I 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.Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoinsRemorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar,I have not known when his affections swayed More than his reason. But 'tis a common proofThat lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;But when he once attains the upmost round,He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degreesBy which he did ascend. So Caesar may.Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrelWill bear no colour for the thing he is,Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, Would run to these and these extremities;And therefore think him as a serpent's eggWhich, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous,And kill him in the shell.
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
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
Which details should be included in a paraphrase of the passage? Select three options.
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.
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