Question

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 1.

[FLAVIUS.] See whether their basest metal be not moved.60
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
This way will I. Disrobe the images,
If you do find them decked with ceremonies.

MARULLUS. May we do so?65
You know it is the feast of Lupercal.

FLAVIUS. It is no matter; let no images
Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about,
And drive away the vulgar from the streets:
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.

Which paraphrase of the passage is the most accurate?

Flavius says, “See whether their basest metal be not moved. They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.” Then he tells Marullus where to go to “disrobe the images.” Marullus protests because it is the feast of Lupercal, but Flavius tells him that it does not matter. Flavius says, “Let no images be hung with Caesar’s trophies,” and tells Marullus to clean up the streets.
Flavius and Marullus decide to wipe the streets clean of homage to Caesar and to chase away those who want to celebrate him.
Flavius and Marullus talk about who should complete what task to clear the streets.

Answer 1

The first paraphrase is the most accurate. It preserves the lines about checking whether the common people are moved and ashamed, notes the order to “disrobe the images,” records Marullus’s objection about the feast of Lupercal and Flavius’s dismissal of it, and correctly captures the plan to take down Caesar’s honors and clear the streets.