Question

brutus. remember march, the ides of march, remember.
did not great julius bleed for justice’ sake?
what villain touched his body, that did stab,
and not for justice? what, shall one of us,
that struck the foremost man of all this world
but for supporting robbers, shall we now
contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
and sell the mighty space of our large honours
for so much trash as may be graspèd thus?
i had rather be a dog and bay the moon
than such a roman.

—the tragedy of julius caesar,
william shakespeare

in the passage, brutus makes a historical allusion to the ides of march. which central idea does this allusion support?
○ reflecting on the devastation and loss caesar’s death meant to the conspirators
○ remembering that their actions should be based in honor
○ the importance of strengthening their friendship
○ agreeing that it is time to accept bribes and build their own ambitions

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The passage focuses on the justice of Caesar's death and Brutus' view on their current actions, not the "devastation and loss" to the conspirators. Eliminate this.
2. Analyze the second option: Brutus refers to the ides of March (Caesar's death for justice) and questions if they should now take bribes. He emphasizes that their actions should be based on honor, like the just act of killing Caesar. This matches.
3. Analyze the third option: The passage does not discuss strengthening friendship. Eliminate this.
4. Analyze the fourth option: Brutus is against taking bribes ("Contaminate our fingers with base bribes... I had rather be a dog... Than such a Roman"), so this is the opposite. Eliminate this.

Answer:

B. remembering that their actions should be based in honor