Question

shrunk to this little measure? i are thee well. 165
i know not, gentlemen, what you intend-
who else must be let blood, who else is rank.
if i myself, there is no hour so fit
as caesars death hour, nor no instrument
of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
with the most noble blood of all this world.
i do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
fulfil your pleasure. live a thousand years,
i shall not find myself so apt to die.
no place will please me so, no mean of death,
as here by caesar, and by you cut off,
the choice and master spirits of this age. 170
175
how do brutuss and cassiuss reactions to
mark antony differ?
cassius thinks antony would be a good ally, while
brutus thinks antony should be feared.
antony and brutus are close allies, but cassius and
antony are closer.
brutus thinks antony would be a good ally, but
calpurnia and portia do not trust antony.
brutus thinks antony would be a good ally, while
cassius thinks antony should be feared.

Explanation:

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Brutus is more idealistic and trusting. He believes that Mark Antony, if treated well (allowed to speak at Caesar's funeral etc., as per his initial stance), could be an ally as he thinks Antony is just a follower of Caesar and not a major threat on his own. Cassius, on the other hand, is more cynical and cautious. He has a better sense of Antony's political acumen and potential threat. He warns Brutus that Antony is dangerous and should be feared. The other options are incorrect:

• In option 1, it's the opposite of the correct dynamic (Brutus - ally, Cassius - fear).
• Option 2 is wrong as Brutus and Antony are not close allies (Antony is on the side of the Caesarian faction against the conspirators in the long - run).
• Option 3 is incorrect because Calpurnia and Portia's views on Antony are not relevant to the Brutus - Cassius dynamic asked in the question.

Answer:

Brutus thinks Antony would be a good ally, while Cassius thinks Antony should be feared.