Question

read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of julius caesar.

brutus. and for mark antony, think not of him,
for he can do no more than caesars arm
when caesars head is off.

how does this example of dramatic irony affect the audience?

• it makes brutus seem honorable.
• it heightens suspense because mark antony is dangerous.
• it makes cassius look weak and indecisive.
• it heightens suspense because brutus is dangerous.

Explanation:

Analyze the dramatic context

In this excerpt from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Brutus dismisses the threat posed by Mark Antony, arguing that Antony is powerless without Caesar: "For he can do no more than Caesar's arm / When Caesar's head is off."

Identify the dramatic irony

Using the Dramatic Irony concept, we look at the contrast between what a character believes and what the audience knows. Brutus believes Antony will be harmless once Caesar is assassinated. However, the audience knows the Julius Caesar Plot and historical outcomes: Antony is actually highly dangerous, will turn the Roman public against the conspirators, and will lead the forces that defeat Brutus.

Determine the effect on the audience

Because the audience knows Antony is a major threat while Brutus remains completely unaware, this gap in knowledge creates tension. It heightens suspense because the audience anticipates the disastrous consequences of Brutus's misjudgment.

Answer:

• It makes Brutus seem honorable.
• It heightens suspense because Mark Antony is dangerous. (Correct answer)
• It makes Cassius look weak and indecisive.
• It heightens suspense because Brutus is dangerous.