The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 7: Thematic Development — Quiz
Question 1 • English Language Arts 10
Read the two excerpts from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . Excerpt 1: BRUTUS: Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word. VOLUMNIUS: What says my lord? BRUTUS: Why this, Volumnius. The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me Two several times by night—at Sardis once, And this last night, here in Philippi fields. I know my hour is come. VOLUMNIUS: Not so, my lord. BRUTUS: Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes. Our enemies have beat us to the pit; [Low alarums] It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st that we two went to school together. Even for that, our love of old, I prithee, Hold thou my sword hilts, whilst I run on it. VOLUMNIUS: That's not an office for a friend, my lord. Excerpt 2: BRUTUS: Hence, I will follow. [Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS] I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. Thou art a fellow of a good respect. Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it. Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? STRATO: Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. How do the moral dilemmas of Volumnius and Strato compare?
Answer
A
They both have to decide whether to help Brutus escape.
B
They both have to decide whether to help Brutus kill himself.
C
They both have to decide whether to fight Brutus.
D
They both have to decide whether to celebrate victory.
Explanation
Brutus asks Volumnius to hold his sword so he can run onto it, but Volumnius refuses because he sees this as no task for a friend. Brutus then makes the same request of Strato, who agrees to hold the sword while Brutus kills himself. Both face the dilemma of whether to help Brutus commit suicide, so the correct choice is “They both have to decide whether to help Brutus kill himself.”
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