Question

BRUTUS. He is not doubted.—A word, Lucillius.

How he received you let me be resolved.

LUCILLIUS. With courtesy and with respect enough,

But not with such familiar instances,

Nor with such free and friendly conference,

As he hath used of old.

BRUTUS. Thou hast described

A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucillius:

When love begins to sicken and decay

It useth an enforcèd ceremony.

There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;

But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,

Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

But when they should endure the bloody spur,

They fall their crests and, like deceitful jades,

Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,
William Shakespeare

Based on this passage, how have the interactions between characters changed? Choose two options.

Cassius has decided to be more trusting of Lucillius.
Brutus has come to appreciate his friendship with Cassius.
The conflict between Cassius and others is becoming strained.
Brutus says Cassius is pretending to be friendly.
The conflict between Brutus and Lucillius causes Brutus to distrust Lucillius.

Answer 1

Based on the passage, the two options that best reflect the changes in the interactions between characters are:

The conflict between Cassius and others is becoming strained.

Brutus says Cassius is pretending to be friendly.

In the passage, Lucillius describes his recent interaction with Cassius, stating that while Cassius was courteous and respectful, their conversation lacked the familiarity and friendliness that was present in their previous encounters. Brutus interprets this change in Cassius' behavior as a sign of his friendship cooling and suggests that when love or friendship starts to decay, people often put on a forced facade of politeness. This implies that there is a growing conflict between Cassius and others, including Brutus, which is straining their relationship. Additionally, Brutus suspects that Cassius is pretending to be friendly, indicating a lack of trust between them.