Question

How are the details about Cassius swim with Caesar in lines 97-138 important to the development of the theme in the scene? Cite evidence from the text in your response.

Answer 1

This is an excerpt from Act 1, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar.

Explanation:

• Cassius recalls a windy day when he and Caesar stood on the banks of the Tiber River, and Caesar dared him to swim to a distant point.

• They raced through the water, but Caesar became weak and asked Cassius to save him. Cassius had to drag him from the water.

• Cassius also recounts an episode when Caesar had a fever in Spain and experienced a seizure. Cassius marvels to think that a man with such a feeble constitution should now stand at the head of the civilized world.