Question

read the passage. then answer the question that follows.
decius. this dream is all amiss interpreted.
it was a vision fair and fortunate.
your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
in which so many smiling romans bathed,
signifies that from you great rome shall suck
reviving blood, and that great men shall press
for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
this by calpurnia’s dream is signified.
–the tragedy of julius caesar,
william shakespeare
what effect does the symbol of the bleeding statue have on the meaning of this passage?
○ the statue is a negative symbol that shows decius is a conspirator.
○ the statue is a positive symbol for the love citizens have for caesar.
○ the statue is a negative symbol that means caesar should stay home.
○ the statue is a positive symbol that suggests caesar will nourish rome.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the passage. Decius interprets the bleeding statue as positive: "from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood" implies Caesar will provide (nourish) Rome with life - giving blood. Now let's eliminate other options:

• Option 1: The statue's interpretation here is positive, not showing Decius as a conspirator in this context.
• Option 2: The passage focuses on Rome being nourished by Caesar, not just citizens' love.
• Option 3: The interpretation is positive, not suggesting Caesar should stay home.

Answer:

D. The statue is a positive symbol that suggests Caesar will nourish Rome.