Question

In Act II of Julius Caesar, what does Brutus mean when he says, "And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous?"

Option a: Antony will grow to become a mischievous but effective ruler.
Option b: Cassius should be destroyed before he becomes dangerous.
Option c: Caesar might not be dangerous now, but he may be in the future.
Option d: Decius is serpent-like and cannot be trusted.

Answer 1

Brutus compares Caesar to a serpent's egg that might grow mischievous once hatched, indicating a fear that Caesar may become dangerous in the future (option c).

Step-by-step explanation:

When Brutus says, "And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous," in Act II of Julius Caesar, he is expressing concern that Caesar might not be dangerous now, but he has the potential to become so in the future.

This statement supports the view that Caesar, like a serpent that is harmless when contained but dangerous when allowed to grow, could ultimately pose a significant threat.

The correct answer to the student's question is option c: Caesar might not be dangerous now, but he may be in the future.

Specifically, Brutus is worried that Caesar will become a tyrant and is debating the moral implications of preemptive action to prevent this potential future danger.