Question

read the excerpt from julius caesar, act 2, scene 2. decius. caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy caesar. i come to fetch you to the senate house. caesar. and you are come in very happy time to bear my greeting to the senators and tell them that i will not come today. cannot is false, and that i dare not, falser. i will not come today; tell them so, decius. calpurnia. say he is sick. caesar. shall caesar send a lie? have i in conquest stretched mine arm so far, to be afraid to tell greybeards the truth? decius, go tell them caesar will not come. what does the image of \in conquest stretched mine arm so far\ suggest about the meaning of the passage? caesars arms are tired from battle, and he wants to stay home from the senate. it is ridiculous that a man who has won so many battles would be afraid to tell the truth. a man who is ill should honor how he feels and not lie about it to others. caesar has grown old and should consider spending more time at home.

Explanation:

The phrase "in conquest stretched mine arm so far" implies Caesar has been victorious in many battles. He is saying it is absurd for a man of his conquest - filled history to be afraid to tell the truth to the senators. He is emphasizing his pride and integrity.

Answer:

It is ridiculous that a man who has won so many battles would be afraid to tell the truth.