Question

How does this allusion help contribute to the meaning of the play? Choose three options.

It shows that Cassius is jealous of Caesar and believes himself to be stronger than Caesar.
It teaches the audience about the Trojan horse.
It contributes to the meaning of the drama by showing that Caesar is an old weak man who is not respected by people of Rome.
It enables a better understanding of Cassius because he says he is like the great Aeneas
It connects the context of the play to the myth of a great hero that Cassius admires.

Answer 1

The best three choices are: 1, 3, and 5.

- 1 (Cassius is jealous of Caesar): The allusion helps reveal Cassius’s envy and resentment toward Caesar’s power and prestige.
- 3 (Caesar is shown as old/weak and not respected): The reference undermines Caesar’s reputation by calling attention to his physical infirmities and the way others enable him, which supports the conspirators’ view of him.
- 5 (connects the play to a mythic hero Cassius admires): The allusion links Rome’s present politics to its legendary past and heroic models, reinforcing the themes of honor, legacy, and how men measure greatness.