Question

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.

CAESAR. I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn preordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thawed from the true quality
With that which melteth fools: I mean sweet words,
Low-crookèd courtesies, and base spaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished.
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know Caesar doth not wrong but with just cause,
Nor without cause will he be satisfied.

What is the central idea of this excerpt?

Caesar will not reverse the exile of Cimber’s brother in response to begging and flattery.
Caesar tells Cimber to leave the senate for pleading to release his brother.
Because Cimber flattered Caesar, Caesar agrees to free Cimber’s brother.
Caesar is willing to hear new arguments to free Cimber’s brother.

Answer 1

Caesar will not reverse the exile of Cimber’s brother in response to begging and flattery.

He insists he won't be swayed by "sweet words," "low-crookèd courtesies," or fawning and will not change the decree just because Cimber pleads.