Question

Read the passage from act 5, scene 4, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

BRUTUS. Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word.

VOLUMNIUS. What says my lord?

BRUTUS. Why this, Volumnius.
The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me
Two several times by night—at Sardis once,
And this last night, here in Philippi fields.
I know my hour is come.

VOLUMNIUS. Not so, my lord.

BRUTUS. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes.
Our enemies have beat us to the pit;

[Low alarums]

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know’st that we two went to school together.
Even for that, our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword hilts, whilst I run on it.

VOLUMNIUS. That’s not an office for a friend, my lord.

Which piece of evidence best supports the theme that one should accept fate rather than fight it?

1. "Our enemies have beat us to the pit."
2. "Hold thou my sword hilts, whilst I run on it."
3. "I know my hour is come."
4. "We two went to school together."

Answer 1

The answer would be 3. Brutus is accepting his fate by saying "I know my hour is come".

Answer 2

Answer is 3. "I know my hour is come".

In this scene, Brutus reveals Volumnius that he has visualized Caesar's ghost in two occasions at night, the first at Sardis and the last one at Philipi fields. He recognizes it as a message, and understands that the end is near. Eventually, by stating "I know my hour is come" he accepts his faith, to finally conclude it is best to sacrifice himself than to die under the attack of his enemies.