Question

read the excerpt from julius caesar, act 1, scene 2. cassius. tis just; and it is very much lamented, brutus, that you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. i have heard where many of the best respect in rome— except immortal caesar—speaking of brutus, and groaning underneath this age’s yoke, have wishèd that noble brutus had his eyes. which summary of the passage is the most accurate? cassius says it is a shame brutus does not look in the mirror often enough to see how handsome he is. cassius explains that he laments that brutus does not have “such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye,” for if brutus did, “you might see your shadow.” cassius says that it is too bad brutus cannot see his hidden greatness. people are tired and grumbling about the government under caesar’s rule, and while caesar doesn’t see the greatness in brutus, cassius has heard others wishing that brutus could be their leader. cassius tells brutus that he should take caesar’s job once he becomes confident enough.

Explanation:

1. The first option is incorrect because Cassius is not referring to Brutus's physical handsomeness, but his hidden personal worth/leadership potential.
2. The second option is too literal and incomplete: it only restates part of Cassius's metaphor and ignores the key detail about Roman citizens' desire for Brutus to lead.
3. The third option is accurate: it captures Cassius's point that Brutus cannot see his own greatness, mentions Romans are frustrated under Caesar's rule, and notes that others wish Brutus would lead them.
4. The fourth option is incorrect because Cassius does not explicitly tell Brutus to take Caesar's job; he frames it as the desire of other Romans, and focuses on revealing Brutus's own worth first.

Answer:

C. Cassius says that it is too bad Brutus cannot see his hidden greatness. People are tired and grumbling about the government under Caesar's rule, and while Caesar doesn't see the greatness in Brutus, Cassius has heard others wishing that Brutus could be their leader.