Question
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 2, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.
Excerpt:
[DECIUS.] It was a vision fair and fortunate.
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Background information:
In medieval times, it was customary to dip handkerchiefs into the blood of martyrs and other great people. Doing so turned the handkerchiefs into relics for worship or inspiration.
Why does Decius suggest that "smiling Romans” dipping in the spouts of blood is a good thing?
A: to flatter Caesar and make sure he will go to the Capitol
B: to imply that Calpurnia wishes to harm Caesar
C: to warn Caesar of the plot against him
D: to explain that Calpurnia is ill and going to die
Excerpt:
[DECIUS.] It was a vision fair and fortunate.
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Background information:
In medieval times, it was customary to dip handkerchiefs into the blood of martyrs and other great people. Doing so turned the handkerchiefs into relics for worship or inspiration.
Why does Decius suggest that "smiling Romans” dipping in the spouts of blood is a good thing?
A: to flatter Caesar and make sure he will go to the Capitol
B: to imply that Calpurnia wishes to harm Caesar
C: to warn Caesar of the plot against him
D: to explain that Calpurnia is ill and going to die
Answers
GPT-4o mini
A: to flatter Caesar and make sure he will go to the Capitol
In this passage, Decius is interpreting Calpurnia's dream in a way that flatters Caesar, suggesting that the blood from his statue symbolizes life and renewal for Rome. By presenting the dream in a positive light, Decius aims to convince Caesar to ignore Calpurnia’s fears and go to the Capitol, where a plot against him is being hatched.
In this passage, Decius is interpreting Calpurnia's dream in a way that flatters Caesar, suggesting that the blood from his statue symbolizes life and renewal for Rome. By presenting the dream in a positive light, Decius aims to convince Caesar to ignore Calpurnia’s fears and go to the Capitol, where a plot against him is being hatched.