The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 5: Developing Central Ideas

Question 9 • 2026-2027_MDCPS_1001375_English 3 B-CR

Which quotation from Julius Caesar is an example of a historical allusion?

Answer

“MARULLUS. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. / COBBLER. A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe / conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles.” (act 1, scene 1)

“These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing / Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,” (act 1, scene 1)

“CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? / Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf / But that he sees the Romans are but sheep.” (act 1, scene 3)

“O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, / Knew you not Pompey?” (act 1, scene 1)

Explanation

A historical allusion refers to a real person or event from history. In choice D, Marullus reminds the crowd of Pompey, a Roman general and political rival of Julius Caesar. The other quotations use wordplay or figurative comparisons rather than directly alluding to a historical person.

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