Question

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 2, scene 4.

SOOTHSAYER. None that I know will be; much that35
I fear may chance.
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow.
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors,
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death.
I’ll get me to a place more void, and there40
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

What are the purposes of the imagery in this excerpt? Select three options.

to emphasize how dangerously packed the streets are
to indicate that the soothsayer is a fraud
to show that the soothsayer will send the people home
to help the reader picture the excitement in the crowd that follows Caesar
to demonstrate how determined the soothsayer is to deliver his message to Caesar

Answer 1

Selected:
- to emphasize how dangerously packed the streets are — “Here the street is narrow…Will crowd a feeble man almost to death” uses crowd imagery to show how tight and dangerous the streets are.
- to help the reader picture the excitement in the crowd that follows Caesar — “The throng that follows Caesar at the heels, / Of senators, of praetors, common suitors” evokes a large, eager following.
- to demonstrate how determined the soothsayer is to deliver his message to Caesar — “I’ll get me to a place more void, and there / Speak to great Caesar” shows his resolve to find a spot and warn Caesar.