Question

CASSIUS:
A peevish1 schoolboy, worthless of such honor,
Joined with a masquer and a reveller2!

ANTONY:
Old Cassius still!

OCTAVIUS:
Come, Antony, away!
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth.
If you dare fight today, come to the field.
If not, when you have stomachs3.

1. Silly.
2. Party goers.
3. The guts; the nerve.



How does this exchange contribute to Shakespeare’s overall purpose in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?

Powerful men are reduced to petty insults and violence.
Powerful men are supportive of each others’ goals.
Powerful men are interested in helping their countries be successful.
Powerful men fight with rhetoric rather than with violence.

Answer 1

Answer: Powerful men are reduced to petty insults and violence.

In this excerpt, we can see that Cassius, Octavius and Antony are fighting. However, they are fighting in silly ways, with petty insults and bad attitudes. This is not normally what we would associate such powerful men with. This contributes to the purpose of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by emphasizing the decline of the Roman Republic. The situation has become so bad that collaboration and even basic respect has become impossible.

Answer 2

Answer:

Powerful men are reduced to petty insults and violence.

Explanation:

Just took the assignment in Edge nuity.