CAESAR. I could be well moved, if I were as you.

Question

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.

But I am constant as the Northern Star,

Of whose true fixed and resting quality

There is no fellow in the firmament.

The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks;

They are all fire, and every one doth shine;

But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,

William Shakespeare

The central idea of this passage is that Caesar will not change his mind. Which details support this central idea? Check all that apply.

“I could be well moved, if I were as you”
“But I am constant as the Northern Star”
“The skies are painted”
“They are all fire, and every one doth shine”
“There’s but one in all doth hold his place.”

Answer 1

The details that support the central idea that Caesar will not change his mind are:

• “But I am constant as the Northern Star” – This line directly indicates Caesar's steadfastness and his refusal to change.
• “There’s but one in all doth hold his place.” – This reinforces the idea of his unyielding nature, comparing himself to the Northern Star which remains fixed.

The other lines do not support the central idea of his unwavering position as directly as these two.