Final answer:
Gratiano and Lodovicio hesitate to assist due to human nature and the uncertainty of promised outcomes or potential negative consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gratiano and Lodovicio hesitate to assist because it is but human nature for many persons to utter promises and threats more easily than they actually carry them out, or else because they were going to be punished to no purpose, without helping the state at all by their obstinacy. This hesitation could be attributed to their reluctance to take action due to the uncertainty of the outcome or the potential negative consequences they may face. For example, they may have doubted the credibility of the promises made or feared that their efforts would be in vain. Ultimately, their hesitation reflects common human tendencies and the complex motivations we have when making decisions.