What does the image of "And groaning underneath this age's
yoke" suggest about the meaning of the passage? (A yoke is
a wooden harness, or collar, put around the neck of a horse
or oxen that is pulling a plough)
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, Scene 2
CASSIUS. 'Tis just
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your shadow. I have heard
Where many of the best respect in Rome-
Except immortal Caesar-speaking of Brutus,
And groaning underneath this age's yoke,
Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.
Brutus has been unnecessarily choking himself.
It is cruel to restrain people as if they were animals
Brutus has been praising the people of Rome
People are suffering under the current leadership