Question

read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of julius caesar. antony. villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers hacked one another in the sides of caesar: you showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, and bowed like bondmen, kissing caesars feet. whilst damned casca, like a cur, behind, struck caesar on the neck. o you flatterers! cur and dog mean the same thing denotatively. which statement best explains why antony uses the word cur rather than dog to describe casca? antony wants to praise cascas noble standing. antony has contempt for casca and is insulting him. antony blames the entire assassination plot on casca. antony wants to describe casca as a kind and dedicated dog

Explanation:

• Denotation and Connotation: "Cur" has a negative connotation (a worthless or surly dog), while "dog" can be neutral or positive.
• Context in the Play: Antony is angry at the conspirators. Using "cur" (with its negative connotation) shows his disdain.
• Analysis of Options:
• Option 1: "Cur" is not a praise - "cur" implies worthlessness.
• Option 2: The negative connotation of "cur" fits Antony's contempt.
• Option 3: The text doesn't suggest Antony blames the whole plot on Casca.
• Option 4: "Cur" is not a positive description like "kind and dedicated".

Answer:

Antony has contempt for Casca and is insulting him.