BRUTUS. O Antony, beg not your death of us!

Question

Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,

As by our hands and this our present act

You see we do, yet see you but our hands,

And this the bleeding business they have done.

Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;

And pity to the general wrong of Rome—

As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—

Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,

To you our swords have leaden points, Mark

Antony.

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,

William Shakespeare

Which line supports the central idea that Antony does not understand the conspirators’ motives?

“Antony, beg not your death of us!”
“You see we do, yet see you but our hands, And this the bleeding business they have done.”
“Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of Rome”
“To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.”

Answer 1

The line that supports the central idea that Antony does not understand the conspirators’ motives is:

“Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of Rome.”

This line emphasizes that the conspirators' actions, which appear violent and cruel, were motivated by a deep sense of pity for Rome and its situation. It suggests that Antony lacks understanding of their emotional and political reasoning behind their drastic measures.