Which book, written by niccolò machiavelli, describes how a strong ruler obtains and keeps power?

a.
utopia

b.
the praise of folly

c.
the book of the courtier

d.
the prince

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of julius caesar. brutus. o ye gods, render me worthy of this noble wife! [knocking within] hark, hark, one knocks. portia, go in a while, and by and by thy bosom shall partake the secrets of my heart. all my engagements i will construe to thee, all the charactery of my sad brows. leave me with haste. [exit portia] which statement best explains brutus's motivation in this scene? brutus wants to keep portia out of the conspiracy to protect her. brutus wants to get portia to join the conspiracy with him. brutus wants to ask the conspirators to explain things to portia. brutus wants to introduce the conspirators to portia.