Question

read the excerpt from julius caesar, act 2, scene 1. brutus. it must be by his death: and for my part i know no personal cause to spurn at him but for the general. he would be crowned: how that might change his nature, theres the question. it is the bright day that brings forth the adder, 5 and that craves wary walking. crown him that, and then i grant we put a sting in him that at his will he may do danger with. th abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power. and to speak truth of caesar... 10 which statement best describes the meaning of the imagery in the line \it is the bright day that brings forth the adder\? (an adder is a snake.)

• the sun shines on caesar, but he must watch his steps around others.
• brutus will kill caesar with a bite of stinging fangs.
• the warm praise of the people can cause caesar to be more powerful and dangerous.
• some animals cannot be trusted, no matter what.

Explanation:

The line uses the bright day (symbolizing the public's praise and the elevation of Caesar to king) and the adder (a dangerous snake, symbolizing the corrupting, dangerous side of power). Brutus argues that crowning Caesar (the "bright day" of his rise) will awaken his potential for tyranny, making him a dangerous threat like a snake emerging in the sun. The other options misinterpret the metaphor: the line is not about Caesar watching others, Brutus using literal fangs, or general animal distrust.

Answer:

C. The warm praise of the people can cause Caesar to be more powerful and dangerous.