Question

review the passage. the antithesis is shown in bold.
brutus: romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. if there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of caesar’s, to him i say, that brutus’ love to caesar was no less than his. if then that friend demand why brutus rose against caesar, this is my answer: not that i loved caesar less, but that i loved rome more.
from william shakespeare, julius caesar
what is the effect of the antithesis on the passage’s meaning or tone?
it contributes to a critical tone.
it suggests that brutus regrets what he did to caesar.
it emphasizes that brutus’s actions were borne out of good intentions.

Explanation:

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas. In "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more," Brutus contrasts his love for Caesar with his love for Rome. This shows that his actions (rising against Caesar) were not out of malice (since he loved Caesar) but out of a greater love for Rome (good - intentioned as he likely thought he was acting in Rome's best interest). There is no indication of a critical tone (he is justifying his actions) and no sign of regret (he is explaining his motives as noble).

Answer:

It emphasizes that Brutus's actions were borne out of good intentions.