Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 1.
MARULLUS. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings
he home?
What tributaries follow him to Rome
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless35
things!
O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climbed up to walls and battlements,
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops,
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat40
The livelong day, with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome.
Which summary of the passage is the best?
Why do you celebrate? What has Caesar done for you and for Rome? Does he bring riches and servants back with him? You are senseless and heartless people. Have you forgotten about how much you loved Pompey?
Marullus regrets that the people are celebrating Caesar and is insulted that they forgot how they used to praise Pompey.
Marullus thinks that the people should celebrate Caesar the way they used to celebrate Pompey, and that they should be in awe of Caesar’s greatness.
Marullus remembers how “Many a time and oft Have you climbed up to walls and battlements, To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, Your infants in your arms,” to see Pompey when he returns from battle.
