Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[BRUTUS.] Messala, I have here receivèd letters,That young Octavius and Mark AntonyCome down upon us with a mighty power,Bending their expedition toward Philippi.MESSALA. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.BRUTUS. With what addition?MESSALA. That by proscription and bills of outlawry,Octavius, Antony, and LepidusHave put to death an hundred senators.BRUTUS. Therein our letters do not well agree.Mine speak of seventy senators that diedBy their proscriptions, Cicero being one.CASSIUS. Cicero one!MESSALA. Ay, Cicero is dead,And by that order of proscription.
Answer
A
It clarifies the relationship between Brutus and Mark Antony.
B
It informs the audience about events that took place off stage.
C
It provides background information about Brutus’s relationship with Messala.
D
It demonstrates the lack of power that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus hold in Rome.
Explanation
Brutus and Messala compare letters reporting that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus have executed senators, including Cicero. These events happened before the conversation and are reported rather than shown on stage, so the passage informs the audience about offstage events. It does not clarify Brutus’s relationship with Antony or show that the triumvirs lack power; their actions suggest they have considerable power.
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