The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 5: Developing Central Ideas
Question 9 • [ELA10] ELA 10, Sem 2 (26-27)
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[Exit LEPIDUS]ANTONY. This is a slight, unmeritable man,Meet to be sent on errands. Is it fit,The three-fold world divided, he should standOne of the three to share it?OCTAVIUS. So you thought him,And took his voice who should be pricked to die,In our black sentence and proscription.ANTONY. Octavius, I have seen more days than you:And though we lay these honors on this man.To ease ourselves of divers sland’rous loads,He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,To groan and sweat under the business,Either led or driven as we point the way;And having brought our treasure where we will,Then take we down his load, and turn him off,Like to the empty ass, to shake his earsAnd graze in commons.
Answer
A
He intends to make Lepidus one of the leaders of the divided empire.
B
He intends to send Lepidus to become a servant for Brutus.
C
He plans to have Lepidus tried and executed for his past crimes.
D
He plans to remove Lepidus from power once he has served his purpose.
Explanation
Antony compares Lepidus to an ass carrying gold: Lepidus will bear the burdens of their political business while Antony and Octavius direct him. Once the work is done, they will take away his load and “turn him off,” meaning they will discard him. So Antony plans to remove Lepidus from power after he has served his purpose.
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