ACT Reading 1.6 Humanities Passage

The second paragraph is where the Professor zeroes in on these two, so we'll go back

and skim it again before we go any further.

Now that we've refreshed our memories, let's take a look at choice (D).

Most everybody knows that Hamlet was a bookworm, and even though Brutus's name sounds like

"brute," he's widely thought of as an intellectual.

Professor Bradley points out this similarity in paragraph two, so (D) is incorrect.

But what about choice (A)? The Professor does describe both Hamlet and Brutus as "philosophic,"

meaning that they both like to ponder the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.

This description lives in the same world as choice (D), which we've already eliminated,

so we're sure (A) is wrong.

Could (C) be the right answer? Both Brutus and Hamlet are known for being highly concerned

with "doing the right thing," which is a little weird because they both end up becoming murderers.

Professor Bradley points out these "good guy" intentions, so we can get rid of (C).

Alright B, this one might be tempting, because if we've read or seen Hamlet, we know that Hamlet is

bummed about his dad's death.

The historical Brutus actually had a dad who died as well; however, there's no discussion

of this same theme in Julius Caesar or in the Professor's lecture.

This makes (B) the only choice not Bradley-approved...and the correct answer.

Seems like these guys really had a lot in common. Maybe they should've started a support group.