In Act II of Julius Caesar, what does Brutus mean when he says, "And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous?"

Question

A.Antony will grow to become a mischievous but effective ruler.
B.Cassius should be destroyed before he becomes dangerous.
C.Caesar might not be dangerous now, but he may be in the future.
D.Decius is serpent-like and cannot be trusted.

Answer 1

In Act II of Julius Caesar, when Brutus says, "And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous," he is making an analogy about the potential danger that Julius Caesar poses. This line suggests that although Caesar is not currently threatening, if given power, he could become dangerous and tyrannical. Therefore, the correct interpretation is:

C. Caesar might not be dangerous now, but he may be in the future.

Brutus believes that it is better to act against him now, before he can fully develop into a threat.