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. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And sure he is an honourable man. Which statement best compares the two monologues? Both Brutus and Antony ask rhetorical questions to make points. Brutus’ use of ambitious is positive, whereas Antony’s is negative. Both Brutus and Antony describe Caesar’s weaknesses. Antony addresses the crowd directly, whereas Brutus does not.

Answer 1

Both Brutus and Antony ask rhetorical questions to make points.

In the excerpts both Brutus and Antony ask rhetorical questions. Brutus asks, "Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead to all free men?...Who is here so base that would be a bondman?" Antony asks, "Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?...Was this ambition?"

The other options are simply incorrect. Brutus does not use ambition to be positive. He says that he slew Caesar because of Caesar's ambition. If he saw ambition as a positive, he probably would not have killed him. They do not described Caesar's weaknesses. Both of them address the crowd directly when they use the pronoun "you".