Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare(excerpt from Act 3, Scene II)In the prior acts of Julius Caesar, noble Romans have conspired against their leader, Caesar, and assassinated him. In this scene, Brutus, a well-respected man and longtime friend of Caesar, has addressed the people of Rome to explain why they've conspired against Caesar. Marc Antony, another longtime friend of Caesar, also addresses the Roman people.MARC ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.The evil that men do lives after them;The good is oft interrèd with their bones.So let it be with Caesar. The noble BrutusHath told you Caesar was ambitious.If it were so, it was a grievous fault,And grievously hath Caesar answered it.Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men—Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me.But Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.He hath brought many captives home to RomeWhose ransoms did the general coffers fill.Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.You all did see that on the LupercalI thrice presented him a kingly crown,Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And, sure, he is an honorable man.I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,But here I am to speak what I do know.You all did love him once, not without cause.What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?4Select the correct answer.What is the message in this excerpt of Marc Antony’s speech? A. The people of Rome should remember the good things Caesar has done. B. Caesar was a kind ruler because he wept for poor Romans. C. The people of Rome should trust the honorable words of Brutus. D. Caesar was an ambitious ruler who would do anything to be king.
Question
Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare(excerpt from Act 3, Scene II)In the prior acts of Julius Caesar, noble Romans have conspired against their leader, Caesar, and assassinated him. In this scene, Brutus, a well-respected man and longtime friend of Caesar, has addressed the people of Rome to explain why they've conspired against Caesar. Marc Antony, another longtime friend of Caesar, also addresses the Roman people.MARC ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.The evil that men do lives after them;The good is oft interrèd with their bones.So let it be with Caesar. The noble BrutusHath told you Caesar was ambitious.If it were so, it was a grievous fault,And grievously hath Caesar answered it.Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men—Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me.But Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.He hath brought many captives home to RomeWhose ransoms did the general coffers fill.Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.You all did see that on the LupercalI thrice presented him a kingly crown,Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And, sure, he is an honorable man.I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,But here I am to speak what I do know.You all did love him once, not without cause.What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?4Select the correct answer.What is the message in this excerpt of Marc Antony’s speech? A. The people of Rome should remember the good things Caesar has done. B. Caesar was a kind ruler because he wept for poor Romans. C. The people of Rome should trust the honorable words of Brutus. D. Caesar was an ambitious ruler who would do anything to be king.
Solution
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze Marc Antony's speech step by step:
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Opening Statement: Marc Antony begins by addressing the crowd and stating his purpose: "I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him." This sets a somber tone and suggests he will speak about Caesar's death rather than glorify him.
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Contradiction of Brutus's Claim: Antony repeatedly mentions that Brutus called Caesar ambitious, but he questions this claim by providing evidence to the contrary:
- Caesar brought captives home to Rome, which benefited the general coffers.
- Caesar wept for the poor, showing compassion.
- Caesar refused the crown three times, indicating he did not seek power.
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Irony and Repetition: Antony uses irony and repetition to cast doubt on Brutus's assertion. He repeatedly says, "And Brutus is an honorable man," while providing examples that contradict Brutus's claim of ambition.
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Appeal to the Crowd: Antony reminds the crowd that they once loved Caesar and questions why they do not mourn him now.
Given this analysis, the message in Marc Antony’s speech is to highlight the good deeds of Caesar and to subtly undermine Brutus's claim that Caesar was ambitious. Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. The people of Rome should remember the good things Caesar has done.
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