Writing an Interpretive Literary Analysis — Unit test
Question 18 • ELA 10B - 2023
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 2, scene 1.BRUTUS. It must be by his death: and for my partI know no personal cause to spurn at himBut for the general. He would be crowned:How that might change his nature, there’s the question.It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,*And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,And then I grant we put a sting in himThat at his will he may do danger with.*An adder is a snake.
Answer
A
Brutus wants Caesar to die.
B
Even though Brutus has no personal reason for killing Caesar, Brutus decides that, for the good of the people, Caesar must be killed. If Caesar were crowned, it may change his personality, and the power may cause him to become dangerous.
C
Brutus compares Caesar to a snake.
D
The snake comes out in the sunshine. People must be very careful when walking around the sunning snake. Crown Caesar and I agree that we may be giving him the power to sting us.
Explanation
Brutus says he has no personal reason to oppose Caesar, but is worried about what Caesar might do if crowned. He compares Caesar’s possible rise to power to an adder becoming dangerous, concluding that the crown could give Caesar the “sting” to harm the people. Choice B captures both Brutus’s concern for the public and his fear that power may change Caesar; choice A wrongly suggests Brutus wants Caesar dead for personal reasons.
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