Question

read the passage. then answer the question that follows.
portia. i prithee, boy, run to the senate house;
stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.—
why dost thou stay?
lucius. to know my errand, madam.
portia. i would have had thee there and here again
ere i can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
aside o constancy, be strong upon my side;
set a huge mountain tween my heart and tongue.
i have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might.
—the tragedy of julius caesar,
william shakespeare
what does the image of \a huge mountain tween my heart and tongue\ suggest about the meaning of this passage?
○ portia does not want lucius to find out that she is in love.
○ portia misses the freedom to enjoy being out in nature.
○ portia knows that lucius is one of the conspirators.
○ portia wishes for help to keep from saying what she knows and feels.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The passage doesn't relate to Portia hiding her love, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: There's no mention of Portia missing nature, so this is incorrect.
3. Analyze the third option: The passage gives no indication that Lucius is a conspirator, so this is incorrect.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The phrase "Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue" implies Portia wants to stop herself from speaking her thoughts and feelings, so she wishes for help to keep from saying what she knows and feels. This matches the meaning of the image.

Answer:

D. Portia wishes for help to keep from saying what she knows and feels.