The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 5: Developing Central Ideas
Question 15 • [ELA10] ELA 10, Sem 2 (26-27)
Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[CASSIUS.] A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities,But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.BRUTUS. I do not, till you practice them on me.CASSIUS. You love me not.BRUTUS. I do not like your faults.CASSIUS. A friendly eye could never see such faults.BRUTUS. A flatterer’s would not, though they do appearAs huge as high Olympus.
Answer
A
The allusion emphasizes the need for compromise between human beings, just as the gods are forgiving of human faults.
B
The allusion introduces the idea that, although the two men are very powerful and command armies, they are not gods but human beings.
C
The allusion emphasizes the size of the faults that Brutus sees in Cassius, which will lead to an honest discussion of the roots of the friends’ conflict.
D
The allusion to the gods introduces the notion of fate, suggesting that the relationship between Cassius and Brutus can be repaired only if it is fated to be.
Explanation
Brutus compares Cassius’s faults to Mount Olympus, making them seem enormous: “as huge as high Olympus.” The allusion emphasizes how serious Brutus believes the faults are, rather than suggesting the gods will forgive them or that fate controls the friendship. This leads into the men’s candid discussion of their disagreement, so C is the best choice.
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