Question

read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of the tragedy of julius caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains. cassius. and why should caesar be a tyrant then? poor man, i know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the romans are but sheep. he were no lion, were not romans hinds. those that with haste will make a mighty fire begin it with weak straws. what trash is rome? what rubbish, and what offal? when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as caesar! but, o grief, where hast thou led me? i perhaps speak this before a willing bondman: then i know my answer must be made. but i am armed and dangers are to me indifferent. casca. you speak to casca, and to such a man which statement best explains the meaning added by the allusion in this excerpt? alluding to pompeys porch reminds the audience of the importance of pompey to roman culture and wealth. the allusion to pompeys porch reminds everyone of the love pompey had for caesars daughter. alluding to pompey invokes the history of his opposition to caesar, showing that the conspirators in the play are part of a long - standing battle against a tyrant. the allusion to pompey references his long and stable relationship with caesar.

Explanation:

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Pompey was a rival of Caesar. Alluding to Pompey invokes the history of his opposition to Caesar. This shows that the conspirators in the play are part of a long - standing battle against a tyrant (Caesar in their view). The other options are incorrect. The allusion is not mainly about Pompey's importance to Roman culture and wealth (first option). There is no mention of Pompey's love for Caesar's daughter in the context of this allusion (second option). Pompey and Caesar were rivals, not in a long and stable relationship (fourth option).

Answer:

Alluding to Pompey invokes the history of his opposition to Caesar, showing that the conspirators in the play are part of a longstanding battle against a tyrant.