What contrast in values can be found in the highlighted passage from sections 14-15? "BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers. CASSIUS I, an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. 15- BRUTUS The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. CASSIUS Chastisement? BRUTUS Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab And not for justice? What? shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes? And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman." A. Cassius is an upright citizen, while Brutus has been found corrupt. B. Cassius and Brutus are both honest about all of their actions. C. Brutus and Cassius are both honorable about all of their actions. D. Cassius is corrupt in his actions while Brutus tries to uphold justice for all in his actions.
Question
What contrast in values can be found in the highlighted passage from sections 14-15?
"BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers.
CASSIUS
I, an itching palm? You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
15- BRUTUS The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
CASSIUS
Chastisement?
BRUTUS
Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab And not for justice? What? shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes? And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman."
A. Cassius is an upright citizen, while Brutus has been found corrupt.
B. Cassius and Brutus are both honest about all of their actions.
C. Brutus and Cassius are both honorable about all of their actions.
D. Cassius is corrupt in his actions while Brutus tries to uphold justice for all in his actions.
Solution
The correct answer is D. Cassius is corrupt in his actions while Brutus tries to uphold justice for all in his actions.
In the passage, Brutus accuses Cassius of being corrupt, of having an "itching palm" (a desire for money) and selling his offices for gold to undeserving people. Cassius defends himself, but Brutus continues to criticize him, reminding him of the ides of March when Julius Caesar was killed for the sake of justice. Brutus implies that they, who killed Caesar for supporting robbers, should not now become corrupt themselves by accepting bribes. He would rather be a dog than such a Roman. This shows a contrast in values between the two characters: Cassius, who is willing to be corrupt for personal gain, and Brutus, who values justice and honor above all else.
Similar Questions
What does Brutus reveal about Cassius in the text from section 14 of Julius Caesar? BRUTUS Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers. Cassius is honest, and he is very loyal to Brutus. Cassius is honorable, and he is somewhat loyal to Brutus. Cassius is untrustworthy, and he is not loyal to Brutus.
What does Cassius reveal about Brutus' character in the text? "CASSIUS: I will do so: till then, think of the world. [Exit BRUTUS.] Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable metal may be wrought From that it is disposed: therefore it is meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduced? Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus: If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humour me. I will this night, In several hands, in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens, Writings all tending to the great opinion That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at: And after this let Caesar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure. [Exit]." A. Cassius reveals that Brutus has a bad sense of humor. B. Cassius doesn't think he has reached Brutus; Cassius will need the opinions of others to help him. C. Cassius wishes he were Brutus so he wouldn't be "humored." D. Cassius is frustrated that Brutus is not interested in anything to do with Caesar.
What does Brutus reveal about his own character in the highlighted passage from Act IV? "All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Go show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods, You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish." A. His guilt and frustrations manifest as depression, and he is too sad to do anything. B. His guilt manifests as a zealous desire to rule, so he makes desperate grasps for power. C. His guilt and frustrations manifest as anger, and he lashes out at his fellow conspirators
What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;/This tongue had not offended so today,/If Cassius might have ruled.”
Compare the speeches given by Antony and Brutus
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