Question

read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of the tragedy of julius caesar. portia. you’ve ungently, brutus, stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper you suddenly arose, and walked about musing and sighing, with your arms across, and when i asked you what the matter was, you stared upon me with ungentle looks. i urged you further; then you scratched your head, and too impatiently stamped with your foot. yet i insisted, yet you answered not, but with an angry wafture of your hand gave sign for me to leave you. so i did, fearing to strengthen that impatience which seemed too much enkindled, and withal hoping it was but an effect of humour, which sometime hath his hour with every man. it will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep. what external conflict does portia want brutus to reveal to her? the struggle in his heart that is making him ill the reasons he is weighing for not sharing his concern with her the cause for men to be lurking in darkness and what possible threat they pose to portia and brutus the attitudes he holds about their marriage and his beliefs about his vows

Explanation:

To determine the external conflict Portia wants Brutus to reveal, we analyze each option:

• The first option describes an internal conflict (struggle in his heart), not external.
• The second option is about why he won't share concerns, not an external conflict.
• The third option involves men lurking in darkness (an external situation) and the threat they pose, which is an external conflict.
• The fourth option is about attitudes towards marriage (internal or relational, not external).

So the correct option is the one about men lurking in darkness and their threat.

Answer:

C. the cause for men to be lurking in darkness and what possible threat they pose to Portia and Brutus