Question

read the excerpt from act 3, scene 1 of julius caesar.

caesar. so in the world: tis furnished well with men,
and men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
yet in the number i do know but one
that unassailable holds on his rank,
unshaked of motion; and that i am he
let me a little show it even in this--
that i was constant cimber should be banished,
and constant do remain to keep him so.

what is the best summary of this monologue?

• caesar says that he will eventually release cimber from exile because \men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive,\ and he thinks that all men deserve forgiveness.
• caesar explains that we are all flesh and blood and also apprehensive. he does not know any man who cannot be moved by reason, except possibly one.
• caesar refuses to reverse cimbers banishment. he says that, although the world is full of reasonable men, he is the only one who stands firm, and he will stick by his sentence to prove it.
• caesar explains that the world is full of men who are flesh and blood. they are capable of letting reason change their minds, and occasionally he is one of them who does change his mind. because cimber made a good argument, he will reverse his decision.

Explanation:

Analyze the monologue's key claims

Caesar compares himself to the Northern Star, stating that while the world is full of men who are "flesh and blood, and apprehensive" (susceptible to fear, change, and persuasion), he knows only one who remains completely constant, unmoving, and firm in his position—and that is himself.

Connect claims to the specific situation

To demonstrate his constancy, Caesar points to his decision regarding Cimber: "That I was constant Cimber should be banished, / And constant do remain to keep him so." He refuses to change his mind or lift the banishment, using this as proof of his unshakeable nature.

Evaluate the answer choices

• Option 1: Incorrect. Caesar explicitly states he will remain constant in keeping Cimber banished, not release him.
• Option 2: Incorrect. Caesar does not say he is looking for a man moved by reason; he claims he is the only one who is completely unshakeable.
• Option 3: Correct. This accurately summarizes that Caesar refuses to reverse the banishment to prove that he is the only one who stands firm and constant.
• Option 4: Incorrect. Caesar does not change his mind, nor does he say he is one of those who changes their mind.

Answer:

• (A) Caesar says that he will eventually release Cimber from exile because "men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive," and he thinks that all men deserve forgiveness.
• (B) Caesar explains that we are all flesh and blood and also apprehensive. He does not know any man who cannot be moved by reason, except possibly one.
• (C) Caesar refuses to reverse Cimber's banishment. He says that, although the world is full of reasonable men, he is the only one who stands firm, and he will stick by his sentence to prove it. (Correct answer)
• (D) Caesar explains that the world is full of men who are flesh and blood. They are capable of letting reason change their minds, and occasionally he is one of them who does change his mind. Because Cimber made a good argument, he will reverse his decision.