Question

read the passage. then answer the question that follows.

antony. you all did see that on the lupercal
i thrice presented him a kingly crown,
which he did thrice refuse. was this ambition?
yet brutus says he was ambitious,
and sure he is an honourable man.
i speak not to disprove what brutus spoke,
but here i am to speak what i do know.
-the tragedy of julius caesar,
william shakespeare

what does caesar do when antony presents him with a crown?
he refuses it three times.

how does this example show that caesar is not ambitious?
an ambitious person would have accepted the crown.

what does this example suggest about brutuss character?
he is dishonest.
he is trustworthy.
he is honorable.

Explanation:

Analyze Caesar's action with the crown

Using the Julius Caesar Plot knowledge point, we examine the passage where Antony states, "I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse." This directly shows that Caesar refuses the crown three times.

Connect refusal to ambition

Using the Rhetorical Analysis knowledge point, Antony uses this factual event to counter Brutus's claim that Caesar was ambitious. The logical connection is that an ambitious person seeking absolute power would have accepted the crown when offered.

Infer Brutus's character from the contrast

Using the Character Inference knowledge point, we analyze the contrast Antony sets up. Brutus claims Caesar was ambitious, but the evidence shows Caesar refused the crown. Since Brutus's claim contradicts this fact, it suggests Brutus's accusation is false, implying Brutus is dishonest.

Answer:

Question 1

• He refuses it three times. (Correct answer)

Question 2

• An ambitious person would have accepted the crown. (Correct answer)

Question 3

• He is dishonest. (Correct answer)
• He is trustworthy.
• He is honorable.