Question

CALPURNIA. A lioness hath whelped in the streets,

And graves have yawned, and yielded up their dead.

Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds,

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol.

The noise of battle hurtled in the air,

Horses do neigh, and dying men did groan,

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,

And I do fear them.

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,

William Shakespeare

Which of these are symbols in the passage? Check all that apply.

blood
ghosts
lioness
streets
Caesar

Answer 1

blood
ghost
lioness

Answer 2

In the passage from "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar," the following items can be considered symbols:

1. **Blood** - Often symbolizes violence, death, or betrayal.
2. **Ghosts** - Typically symbolize the past, unresolved issues, or foreboding.
3. **Lioness** - Could symbolize power, strength, or a wild, untamed force.
4. **Streets** - Might symbolize the public sphere or the arena of conflict and consequence.

While **Caesar** is a significant character and figure within the play, he does not function as a symbol in the same way as the other items listed. Thus, you would check all options except **Caesar**.

Answer 3

In the passage from "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar," the following items can be considered symbols:

1. **Blood** - Symbolizes violence, death, and the consequences of conflict.
2. **Ghost** - Represents the past, unresolved guilt, or foreboding connected to death.
3. **Lioness** - Symbolizes strength, power, or a primal force in nature.

So, your selection of **blood, ghost, and lioness** as symbols is correct.