Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar and the background information on the
allusion it contains.
which statement best explains the meaning added by the
allusion in this excerpt?
Albe
CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf
But 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 serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So 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.
O Alluding to Pompey's Porch reminds the audience of
the importance of Pompey to Roman culture and
wealth, in contrast to Caesar's brutality
The allusion to Pompey's Porch shows that the
conspirators have chosen a meeting place with
significance to them and one they are all familiar with
Alluding to Pompey invokes the history of his
opposition to Caesar, showing that the conspirators in
the play are part of a longstanding battle against a
tyrant.
The allusion to Pompey references his long and
changing relationship with Caesar, indicating that
Caesar is capable not only of being an enemy but also
of being an ally,
CASCA. You speak to Casca, and to such a man
Mark this and return
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