Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, likely written at the beginning of the second century AD, describes the lives of 48 well-known Greek and Roman men in history. Plutarch's purpose was to explore how their good or bad characteristics shaped their lives. In this excerpt, Plutarch describes Julius Caesar's assassination. Casca gave him the first cut, which was not mortal nor dangerous, as coming from one who at the beginning of such a bold action was probably very much disturbed. Caesar immediately turned about, and both of them at the same time cried out, he that received the blow, in Latin, "vile Casca, what does this mean?" and he that gave it, in Greek, to his brother, "brother, help!" Upon this first onset, those who were not privy to the design were astonished, and their horror and amazement at what they saw were so great that they did not fly nor assist Caesar, nor so much as speak a word. But those who came prepared for the business enclosed him on every side. Whichever way he turned, he met with blows, and was encompassed, like a wild beast in the toils, on every side. For it had been agreed they should each of them make a thrust at him; for which reason Brutus also gave him one stab. Some say that he fought and resisted all the rest, shifting his body to avoid the blows, and calling out for help, but that when he saw Brutus's sword drawn, he covered his face with his robe and submitted, letting himself fall. . .
Consider how Shakespeare's Julius Caesar transforms the work of Plutarch. Which phrase best complete the explanation?
Shakespeare transforms Plutarch's historical account by____
a. portraying Caesar as a sympathetic character
b. including dramatic elements, like dialogue and stage directions.
c. setting his drama in modern day society with realistic characters.
d. changing events to include conspiracy against Caesar