Amira is writing a literary analysis of Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior, and Jade Snow Wong’s Fifth Chinese Daughter. Which thesis statement is the most effective?
In an interpretive literary essay, what is the purpose of commentary in body paragraphs?
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?Poor man, I know he would not be a wolfBut that he sees the Romans are but sheep.He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome?What rubbish, and what offal? when it servesFor the base matter to illuminateSo vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this Before a willing bondman: then I know My answer must be made. But I am armed And dangers are to me indifferent.CASCA. You speak to Casca, and to such a manThat is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand.Be factious for redress of all these griefsAnd I will set this foot of mine as farAs who goes farthest.CASSIUS. There’s a bargain made.Now know you, Casca, I have moved alreadySome certain of the noblest-minded RomansTo undergo with me an enterpriseOf honourable dangerous consequence.And I do know by this, they stay for meIn Pompey’s Porch. For now this fearful nightThere is no stir or walking in the streets;And the complexion of the elementIn favour’s like the work we have in hand, Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.Background information:Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known in English as Pompey the Great, was a Roman general and political leader. Together with Caesar and Crassus, Pompey ruled as a member of the first Roman triumvirate. As a leader, Pompey was a capable administrator and helped Rome grow and prosper. Among other projects, he built a large amphitheater in Rome. This amphitheater was named after him, and its annex became known as Pompey’s Porch. During this time, Pompey married Caesar’s daughter, Julia. After her death, however, Pompey and Caesar began to grow apart, and within a few years, Pompey sided with the senate against Caesar. War followed. In 48 BCE, Pompey’s armies were defeated, and he was murdered by former allies who were afraid of Caesar’s power.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. Messala.MESSALA, standing forth. What says my general?CASSIUS. Messala, This is my birthday; as this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. Be thou my witness that, against my will, As Pompey was, am I compelled to set Upon one battle all our liberties. You know that I held Epicurus strong And his opinion. Now I change my mind, And partly credit things that do presage. Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched, Gorging and feeding from our soldiers’ hands; Who to Philippi here consorted us. This morning are they fled away and gone, And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us, As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies ready to give up the ghost.MESSALA. Believe not so.CASSIUS. I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved To meet all perils very constantly.
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 2.CASSIUS. 'Tis just; And it is very much lamented, Brutus,60 That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome— Except immortal Caesar—speaking of Brutus,65 And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.MESSENGER. Prepare you, generals.The enemy comes on in gallant show.Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,And something to be done immediately.ANTONY. Octavius, lead your battle softly on,Upon the left hand of the even field.OCTAVIUS. Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left.
Read the passage from act 5, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.[TITINIUS.] Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?Did I not meet thy friends, and did not theyPut on my brows this wreath of victory,And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything!But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow. Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and IWill do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.By your leave, gods,—this is a Roman’s part:Come, Cassius’ sword, and find Titinius’ heart.
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.ANTONY. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar: You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet, Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind, Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!
What effect does Brutus's secrecy have on his wife, Portia? Select three options.
Which evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Cassius and Brutus have reconciled? Select two options.
Which details should be included in a paraphrase of the passage? Select three options.
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.
Read the two excerpts from act 3, scene 2, of Julius Caesar.SECOND PLEBEIAN. Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.FIRST PLEBEIAN. Peace, ho!BRUTUS. Good countrymen, let me depart alone,And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speechTending to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony,By our permission, is allowed to make.I do entreat you, not a man departSave I alone till Antony have spoke.[Exit]SECOND PLEBEIAN. Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death.THIRD PLEBEIAN. O royal Caesar!ANTONY. Hear me with patience.ALL. Peace, ho!ANTONY. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,His private arbours, and new-planted orchards,On this side Tiber. He hath left them you,And to your heirs for ever—common pleasuresTo walk abroad and recreate yourselves.Here was a Caesar. When comes such another?
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