Question

read the two excerpts from act 3, scene 2, of julius caesar.
brutus. if then that friend demand
why brutus rose against caesar, this is my answer:
not that i loved caesar less, but that i loved
rome more. had you rather caesar were living, and
die all slaves, than that caesar were dead, to live
all free men? as caesar loved me, i weep for him.
as he was fortunate, i rejoice at it. as he was
valiant, i honour him. but as he was ambitious, i
slew him. there is tears for his love, joy for his
fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his
ambition. who is here so base that would be a
bondman?

antony. did this in caesar seem ambitious?
when that the poor have cried, caesar hath wept.
ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
which statement best compares the two
monologues?
○ both brutus and antony ask rhetorical questions to
make points.
○ brutus describes caesar’s generosity and
compassion, while antony describes his heartless
nature.
○ both brutus and antony describe caesar’s
weakness in battle.
○ neither brutus or antony addresses the crowd
directly.

Explanation:

• Brutus uses a rhetorical question: "Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?" to argue his motive for killing Caesar.
• Antony uses a rhetorical question: "Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?" to challenge Brutus's claim of Caesar's ambition.
• The other options are incorrect: Brutus calls Caesar ambitious (not generous), Antony defends Caesar's character; neither describes battle weaknesses; both directly address the crowd.

Answer:

A. Both Brutus and Antony ask rhetorical questions to make points.