Question

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains.

Excerpt:

[FLAVIUS.] See whether their basest mettle be not moved.
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?
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.
These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
Who else would soar above the view of men,
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

Background information:

In Rome, February 15 was Lupercalia, an annual festival celebrating the myth of the she-wolf that saved the lives of the infant twins Romulus and Remus. According to legend, the two boys became the founders of Rome. The festival is also said to have celebrated the god who protected flocks from hungry wolves.

Which statement best explains the meaning added by the allusion in this excerpt?

Alluding to the ancient festival of Lupercal demonstrates that only commoners enjoy holidays.
The allusion to Lupercal provides an association with wolves, which intensifies the sense that violence is coming.
This allusion compares Flavius and Marullus to Romulus and Remus.
Lupercal alludes to an important patriotic festival, and celebrating Caesar’s triumphant return at the same indicates his high position in Rome

Answer 1

"Lupercal alludes to an important patriotic festival, and celebrating Caesar’s triumphant return at the same indicates his high position in Rome."

Explanation: Lupercal is tied to Rome’s founding myth (Romulus and Remus) and is a major civic/patriotic festival. The fact that the crowd celebrates Caesar on that day emphasizes his elevated public status and why Flavius fears he’s being raised above other men (see "Caesar’s trophies" and "growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing").