Author's Style and Layers of Meaning in Cane — Unit test
Question 1 • *CR English 3 S2 [E3060OX]
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 5, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.Excerpt:[BRUTUS.] It is more worthy to leap in ourselvesThan 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. . . .So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongueHath almost ended his life’s history.Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,That have but laboured to attain this hour. . . . 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 faceWhile I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?STRATO. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.BRUTUS. Farewell, good Strato. . . .Caesar, now be still: I killed not thee with half so good a will.Background information:The first book of Samuel in the Bible tells the story of Saul, who asks his armor-bearer to kill him when he is faced with defeat by religious enemies. When the man refuses, Saul falls on his sword rather than be captured by people who he is certain would not only kill him but also abuse him.
Answer
A
It implies that the war between Brutus and Antony is a religious conflict.
B
It makes clear that Strato is disloyal to Brutus, since he is willing to kill him.
C
It reinforces the notion that Brutus’s enemies would prevent him from dying honorably.
D
It shows that Brutus is afraid he will be worshiped as a hero by the enemy.
Explanation
Saul’s story shows a defeated leader choosing to fall on his own sword rather than be captured and abused by his enemies. Brutus likewise asks Strato to hold his sword so he can die by his own hand instead of being taken by Antony’s forces. The allusion reinforces the idea that Brutus believes his enemies would not let him die honorably if they captured him.
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