Julius Caesar: Acts IV, V and Beyond The aftermath of the assassination and Mark Antony’s speech…

ACT IV

Act IV, Scene I Mark Antony, Octavius (Caesar’s adoptive son) and Lepidus all meet at Antony’s home. Mark Antony, Octavius (Caesar’s adoptive son) and Lepidus all meet at Antony’s home.

Act IV, Scene I Antony, Octavius and Lepidus form the “2 nd Triumvirate”… remember Caesar was in the 1st triumvirate sharing power with Pompey and Crassus prior to Act I. Antony, Octavius and Lepidus form the “2 nd Triumvirate”… remember Caesar was in the 1st triumvirate sharing power with Pompey and Crassus prior to Act I. Unlike Brutus, these three men are willing to kill all of their political opponents and anyone they even think might be associated with the conspirators. Unlike Brutus, these three men are willing to kill all of their political opponents and anyone they even think might be associated with the conspirators.

Act IV, Scene I Despite the fact that he used Caesar’s will as a means to anger the crowd in Act III, he reexamines it to find ways to change where the money is going (less money for the people as Caesar’s will and Antony promised). Despite the fact that he used Caesar’s will as a means to anger the crowd in Act III, he reexamines it to find ways to change where the money is going (less money for the people as Caesar’s will and Antony promised).

Act IV, Scene I After Lepidus leaves, Antony and Octavius discuss whether Lepidus is worthy enough to join them in the triumvirate. Octavius approves of him, but Mark Antony has his doubts, calling him a “barren spirited fellow”. After Lepidus leaves, Antony and Octavius discuss whether Lepidus is worthy enough to join them in the triumvirate. Octavius approves of him, but Mark Antony has his doubts, calling him a “barren spirited fellow”.

Act IV, Scene I The scene ends with Mark Antony and Octavius making plans to deal with Brutus and Cassius, who are raising an army to defy the new triumvirate and possibly take back Rome. The scene ends with Mark Antony and Octavius making plans to deal with Brutus and Cassius, who are raising an army to defy the new triumvirate and possibly take back Rome.

Act IV, Scene II Brutus and Cassius have raised armies as Mark Antony stated, but they are also having disagreements. Brutus and Cassius have raised armies as Mark Antony stated, but they are also having disagreements. Brutus arrests one of Cassius’ men for taking bribes (although Cassius asked him not to because he knew him) Brutus arrests one of Cassius’ men for taking bribes (although Cassius asked him not to because he knew him) Brutus also accuses Cassius of taking bribes and they threaten to fight each other over the perceived insults. Brutus also accuses Cassius of taking bribes and they threaten to fight each other over the perceived insults.

Act IV, Scene II Brutus correctly points out that they (or at least he) killed Caesar on the Ides of March to remove an abuse of power and corruption on the part of Caesar. Brutus does not want them to become corrupt too as he still values the idea of honor. Brutus correctly points out that they (or at least he) killed Caesar on the Ides of March to remove an abuse of power and corruption on the part of Caesar. Brutus does not want them to become corrupt too as he still values the idea of honor. The two men work out their disagreements and become friends again. The two men work out their disagreements and become friends again.

Act IV, Scene II Brutus is still upset because he has received word that his wife Portia has killed herself by “swallowing fire,” (either swallowing a hot coal or burning coal in a closed room to asphyxiate). Brutus is still upset because he has received word that his wife Portia has killed herself by “swallowing fire,” (either swallowing a hot coal or burning coal in a closed room to asphyxiate).

Act IV, Scene II Brutus tells Cassius that they should meet the armies of Mark Antony and Octavius at a location called “Philippi”. Cassius thinks they should wait and let the enemy come to them, but Brutus wins the argument. Brutus tells Cassius that they should meet the armies of Mark Antony and Octavius at a location called “Philippi”. Cassius thinks they should wait and let the enemy come to them, but Brutus wins the argument.

Act IV, Scene II That night, as Brutus is reading, Caesar’s Ghost enters his tent and tells Brutus he is Brutus’ “evil spirit” and that he will see him at Philippi. The ghost vanishes and no one sees it but Brutus. That night, as Brutus is reading, Caesar’s Ghost enters his tent and tells Brutus he is Brutus’ “evil spirit” and that he will see him at Philippi. The ghost vanishes and no one sees it but Brutus.

Act V

Act V, Scene I Octavius and Antony make battle plans, with Octavius overriding Mark Antony’s suggestions (sound familiar? Power struggle maybe?) Octavius and Antony make battle plans, with Octavius overriding Mark Antony’s suggestions (sound familiar? Power struggle maybe?) Brutus, Cassius, Octavius and Mark Antony meet, exchanging insults with one another before withdrawing from the field to prepare for battle. Brutus, Cassius, Octavius and Mark Antony meet, exchanging insults with one another before withdrawing from the field to prepare for battle.

Act V, Scene I Despite bad omens, Cassius and Brutus say their goodbyes and prepare their respective armies for the upcoming warfare. Despite bad omens, Cassius and Brutus say their goodbyes and prepare their respective armies for the upcoming warfare.

Act V, Scene II Only six lines long, Brutus begins the battle of Philippi. Only six lines long, Brutus begins the battle of Philippi.

Act V, Scenes III - V Stay tuned… the film version will show you the fate some of the main characters… Stay tuned… the film version will show you the fate some of the main characters…

Aftermath As seen, Brutus committed suicide, but was shown respect by Mark Antony for his honorable life. As seen, Brutus committed suicide, but was shown respect by Mark Antony for his honorable life. Cassius also committed suicide. Like Brutus and the other conspirators, he was not hailed as a liberator, but simply as an assassin thanks to the propaganda of Octavius. Cassius also committed suicide. Like Brutus and the other conspirators, he was not hailed as a liberator, but simply as an assassin thanks to the propaganda of Octavius.

Aftermath Octavius returned to Rome after the battle of Philippi and used his influence to increase his armies and consolidate his power. He was named as the heir to Julius Caesar in Caesar’s will. Julius Caesar was declared to be a deity (god) to the Roman people after his assassination. Octavius returned to Rome after the battle of Philippi and used his influence to increase his armies and consolidate his power. He was named as the heir to Julius Caesar in Caesar’s will. Julius Caesar was declared to be a deity (god) to the Roman people after his assassination.

Aftermath Mark Antony and Octavius eventually clashed over power within the empire, sending Lepidus into exile and leaving the two of them to fight for ultimate power over the Roman empire. Mark Antony was based in the east (the region of Egypt) while Octavius remained in Rome Mark Antony and Octavius eventually clashed over power within the empire, sending Lepidus into exile and leaving the two of them to fight for ultimate power over the Roman empire. Mark Antony was based in the east (the region of Egypt) while Octavius remained in Rome

Aftermath Mark Antony was linked romantically with Cleopatra; queen of Egypt (as Julius Caesar had been before) Mark Antony was linked romantically with Cleopatra; queen of Egypt (as Julius Caesar had been before)

Aftermath Despite his ties to Cleopatra, Mark Antony married Octavia, Octavian’s sister, to help mend their deteriorating relationship / triumvirate. It was her 2 nd marriage and his 4 th. Despite his ties to Cleopatra, Mark Antony married Octavia, Octavian’s sister, to help mend their deteriorating relationship / triumvirate. It was her 2 nd marriage and his 4 th. Later he separated from Octavia, her two sons from her first marriage and 2 daughters from his marriage to her. Later he separated from Octavia, her two sons from her first marriage and 2 daughters from his marriage to her. He then married Cleopatra who, during their separation, had given birth to twins by Antony, a boy and a girl. They would have three children together in total. He then married Cleopatra who, during their separation, had given birth to twins by Antony, a boy and a girl. They would have three children together in total.

Aftermath Back in Rome, Octavius used propaganda to imply that Mark Antony intended to defeat Rome and hand the Roman empire over to Egypt and Cleopatra. Back in Rome, Octavius used propaganda to imply that Mark Antony intended to defeat Rome and hand the Roman empire over to Egypt and Cleopatra. Using Caesar’s former armies and new allies, Octavius went to war with Antony and Cleopatra. Using Caesar’s former armies and new allies, Octavius went to war with Antony and Cleopatra.

Aftermath Eventually, Mark Antony and Cleopatra fought a final, historic naval battle with Octavius called the battle of Actium. Eventually, Mark Antony and Cleopatra fought a final, historic naval battle with Octavius called the battle of Actium.

Aftermath Because their navies were being defeated, Cleopatra withdrew from the battle with 60 ships and Antony took a portion of his ships, penetrated the enemy line and followed her. Because their navies were being defeated, Cleopatra withdrew from the battle with 60 ships and Antony took a portion of his ships, penetrated the enemy line and followed her. The remaining navy surrendered, as did Antony’s ground forces. Approximately a year later, Octavius’ armies were close to complete victory over Antony and Cleopatra. The remaining navy surrendered, as did Antony’s ground forces. Approximately a year later, Octavius’ armies were close to complete victory over Antony and Cleopatra.

Aftermath Following the loss in the battle of Actium and Octavius’ imminent conquest, Mark Antony committed suicide by falling on his sword Following the loss in the battle of Actium and Octavius’ imminent conquest, Mark Antony committed suicide by falling on his sword

Aftermath Rather than face humiliation or defeat, Cleopatra also took her life, using a poisonous serpent called an asp. Rather than face humiliation or defeat, Cleopatra also took her life, using a poisonous serpent called an asp.

Aftermath Following the death of Antony and Cleopatra, Octavius had Cleopatra’s son by Julius Caesar; Caesarian, killed (stating “two Caesars are one too many”) Following the death of Antony and Cleopatra, Octavius had Cleopatra’s son by Julius Caesar; Caesarian, killed (stating “two Caesars are one too many”) He changed his title and name to “Caesar Augustus” and ruled the Roman empire as its first emperor from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. He changed his title and name to “Caesar Augustus” and ruled the Roman empire as its first emperor from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.

Aftermath So, despite Brutus’ good intentions and the deaths of many including Caesar, Cassius, himself and Mark Antony, the actions of the conspirators were ultimately unable to prevent the rise of an emperor. So, despite Brutus’ good intentions and the deaths of many including Caesar, Cassius, himself and Mark Antony, the actions of the conspirators were ultimately unable to prevent the rise of an emperor. For the next 200 years or so, Rome prospered and expanded under various emperor-style leaders in the “Pax Romana” or “Roman Peace,” although it wasn’t always peaceful for Rome’s enemies. For the next 200 years or so, Rome prospered and expanded under various emperor-style leaders in the “Pax Romana” or “Roman Peace,” although it wasn’t always peaceful for Rome’s enemies.

Aftermath