The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 4: Monologues — Quiz
Question 9 • English Language Arts 10
Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 3, of Julius Caesar . CINNA THE POET: Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral. FIRST PLEBEIAN: As a friend or an enemy? CINNA THE POET: As a friend. SECOND PLEBEIAN: That matter is answered directly. FOURTH PLEBEIAN: For your dwelling—briefly. CINNA THE POET: Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. THIRD PLEBEIAN: Your name, sir, truly. CINNA THE POET: Truly, my name is Cinna. FIRST PLEBEIAN: Tear him to pieces! He’s a conspirator. CINNA THE POET: I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. FOURTH PLEBEIAN: Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. CINNA THE POET: I am not Cinna the conspirator. FOURTH PLEBEIAN: It is no matter, his name’s Cinna. Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. THIRD PLEBEIAN: Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! Firebrands! To Brutus’, to Cassius’! Burn all! Some to Decius’ house, and some to Casca’s; some to Ligarius’. Away, go! What is the central idea of this excerpt?
Answer
A
Cinna the conspirator wants to attend Caesar’s funeral and disguises himself as Cinna the poet, but the plebeians discover him and escort him to the funeral.
B
The plebeians are roaming the streets to round up friends of Caesar to bring them to the funeral to support Brutus and Cassius.
C
The plebeians mistake Cinna the poet for Cinna the conspirator, and while they learn his true identity, they decide to tear him to pieces anyway before going after Caesar’s killers.
D
Cinna the poet is attempting to flee Rome because of his role in Caesar’s assassination, but is caught by the plebeians.