Julius Caesar Act IV & V *Summary and main points *Important details which may be helpful for your upcoming essay…

Act IV, scene one Antony with Octavius and Lepidus agree that all conspirators must die. Antony wants even his nephew, Legarius, to die. Antony refers to Lepidus as a horse who must be trained; he dislikes him. Antony says that Brutus and Cassius are building an army and they must do the same. Says they must ‘sit in counsel’ to bring hidden things to light. They need to weed out insincere supporters. Antony reveals that he is going to cut the money left by Caesar.

Act IV, scene two Brutus, Lucilius and the army meet with Titinius and Pindarus. Lucilius tells Brutus that Cassius need not receive him in as friendly a manner as he had previously. This concerns Brutus. Cassius arrives and accuses Brutus of doing him wrong. Brutus tells him he loves him like a brother.

Act IV, scenes one and two Antony’s disposition has changed. He now seeks to take money from the people, even though he promised them the money. This reflects his cynicism and greediness. His treatment of Lepidus as property is also a sign of his greed. Cassius and Brutus’ relationship is unstable.

Act IV, scene three Cassius and Brutus argue about bribes; B. accuses C. of taking bribes and reminds him of the corruption they hoped to eradicate with the murder of Caesar. Brutus upset that Cassius refused to give him money; C. says that without B. love, he would rather not live. Poet comes into the test and scolds them for fighting; they drink wine together.

Act IV, scene three As they sleep, a Ghost of Caesar appears to Brutus. The Ghost tells B. that he is “Thy evil spirit” and warns that B. will see him again. No one else sees/hears anything.

Act IV, scene three Brutus tells Cassius that he suffers great emotional stress because his wife, Portia, killed herself by swallowing fire. Messala enters with Titinus and confirms the death. Brutus and Cassius disagree about strategy. B. thinks they should march to confront Antony’s army, but C. thinks they should act defensively. C. concedes to B.

Act IV, scene three Revealed: problems with B. and C.’s relationship – insults, blames and accusations. Brutus is willing to permit corruption as long as he is not responsible. Cassius has a great need for B.’s approval. Poet’s appearance illustrates the citizens awareness of the tension. The fact that the Poet is able to get into B.’s tent shows the lack of security around B. Brutus contemplates the need for a strong army. He wishes C. a good night and calls him “Good Brother.” Brutus is referred to as “Lord Brutus,” giving him the burden of leadership.

Act IV, scene three Guilt, uncertainty and indecision keep Brutus restless. The arrival of the Ghost foreshadows his death – Caesar’s death by B.’s hand has not been avenged. The ‘evil spirit’ could be seen solely for Brutus to encounter or it could represent the personification of the evil inside of Brutus.

Act V, scenes one and two Octavius and Antony are on the plains of Philippi. Say that, by coming there, B. and C. are responding to a challenge that hasn’t yet been made. A. and O. argue over who should be in the honorable position (who should command the right side of the army). B. and C. enter and insults are exchanged with A. and O. Antony reminds B. of the hole he made in Caesar’s heart calls them “flatterers.”

Act V, scenes one and two Away from Brutus, Cassius tells Messala that he saw “mighty eagles” follow them to Philippi but says that “ravens, crows and kites” now circle overhead. He tells M. that it is a bad omen. B. says that he will not be taken into captivity and that he will die for his country. Scene two – call to arms. B. sends M. to tell troops to begin their surprise attack.

Act V, scenes one and two Octavius follows own will – establishes individual authority. Antony begins calling him Caesar in this scene; Octavius is Caesar’s successor. Verbal conflict is important because each accusation contains a grain of truth. Their words mean little because of past deceptions. Antony says that Brutus’ powers of rhetoric are as destructive as battle Brutus is a traitor – seemed to support Caesar and then killed him Cassius insults Antony, comparing his words to the buzzing of a bee.

Act V, scenes one and two Cassius encounters signs that apply to his own fate. It’s his birthday – will end when he began. Ravens, once eagles, signify downfall Transformed as he is transformed from comrade to conspirator. Ravens waiting for prey, for death

Act V, scenes three and four Cassius and Titinius meet on the battlefield. T. says that B. gave the signal to attack too early; they are now surrounded. C. sends T. out to see if troops are allies. Pindarus urges C. to flee then tells him that T. reached the troops. C. misunderstands him (he thinks T. has been killed) and instructs P. to kill him with the same sword that killed C. P kills him and flees Rome.

Act V, scenes three and four Titunus and Messala enter. M reports that B’s troops have defeated O’s army, but that Antony’s men defeated C’s men. T. and M. discover C’s body. T. kills himself with C’s sword. Brutus and Messala enter and find the bodies. Brutus bemoans the power and might of Caesar, even in spirit. In combat, Cato (Portia’s brother) announces he is there and is killed. Lucilius pretends he is Brutus and is captured. Antony tells them not to harm L. but to find if Brutus is alive and tell him.

Act V, scenes three and four Cassius’ death is wasteful because it is due to a misunderstanding. Pindarus, who has little power, must kill the cowardly C, a crucial event. Brutus sees the death of C. as revenge from Caesar. Lucilius tries to protect Brutus by offering his own life. This shows the respect men have for B. Cato’s death represents the loss of B’s family (his wife is dead, now brother-in-law). Antony acts honorable and justly when he orders Lucilius not to be harmed. His power and egotism have diminished.

Act V, scene five Brutus asks three of his men to kill him – they refuse. He asks Volumnius to hold the sword while he impales himself. He says it will be better to kill himself than to be killed. Strato, the fourth man, holds the sword and Brutus impales himself. Army retreats. Antony calls Brutus the “noblest Roman.”

Act V, scene five Brutus is the only character in J.C. who recognizes the signs of his own demise with foresight and humility. Antony’s speech about Brutus is the most meaningful in the play. Despite his errors, B. is the most admirable and moral character. He is the tragic hero because of his intact integrity until his last moments. He struggles between his vision of the republic and devotion to C. throughout the play. His attempt to bring his lofty, personal ideals for Rome caused his downfall. Rome becomes a dictatorship under Octavius.