Question

Which statement best compares Brutus’s remarks at the death of his wife, Portia, to his words before his own death? Brutus shows more sadness for Portia’s death than he does for his own. Brutus is more philosophical about his own death than he is about Portia’s. Brutus uses more imagery when speaking about Portia’s death than about his own. Brutus reacts more matter-of-factly about his own death than he does about Portia’s

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer is B

Explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answer is Brutus is more philosophical about his own death than he is about Portia’s.

Indeed, when Brutus learns the bad news about the death of his wife Portia he is overcome by grief as he states it himself: “sick of many griefs.” And Cassius points out that Brutus is not being philosophical about her death but emotional by saying “your philosophy you make no use”. Furthermore, he goes on drinking in order to “bury all unkindness (sorrow) in a bowl of wine”.

This is a stark contrast to his death that he takes as the inevitable conclusion of both human condition and his betrayal of Caesar. Indeed, ex considers that it is more honorable and logical to take his own life than to be executed by Mark Antony and also reveals that he experiences remorse about his crime as the following lines show:

- BRUTUS: Our enemies have beat us to the pit: It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, than tarry till they push us. Farewell, good Strato.—[He runs on his sword.]  Caesar, now be still;  I kill’d not thee with half so good a will (I kileed myself more willingly than I killed you).  [Dies].