Act+IV+Character+Analysis+and+Speeches

**Character Analysis:**


 * Brutus: one of the most respected people in the Roman world, intelligent, honest, loves democracy, naive, full of self doubt
 * at this point of the story he is worrying about Cassius and his friendship, also he begins to wonder if killing Caesar was a good idea, also about the well fare of what they are doing and the people who support them
 * Antony: great general and military commander, a friend of Caesar, strong, smart (smarter than people suspect), sly, perceptive, manipulative, ambitious
 * meets with Octavius and Lepidus, and is still against the conspirators
 * Octavius: smart, formidable, and has political smarts, Caesar's adopted son, eventual ruler of Rome
 * Lepidus: rich, lazy, and not well regarded, joins Octavius and Antony against the conspirators
 * Cassius: a roman senator, jealous, sly, intelligent, political, manipulative, dishonest
 * thinks Brutus is trying to bait him and gets angry at him for some time
 * Casca: family friend of Caesar,conspirator to first to stab Caesar, cynical, rude, witty, perceptive


 * Character Analysis: **
 * Brutus: one of the most respected people in the Roman world, intelligent, honest, loves democracy, full of self doubt
 * at this point of the story he is worrying about Cassius and his friendship, also he begins to wonder if killing Caesar was a good idea
 * Antony: great general and military commander, smart (smarter than people suspect), sly, perceptive, manipulative, ambitious
 * meets with Octavius and Lepidus, is still against the conspirators
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Octavius: smart, formidable, and has political smarts
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Lepidus: rich, lazy, and not well regarded
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Cassius: a roman senator, jealous, sly, intelligent, political, manipulative, dishonest
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">thinks Brutus is trying to bait him and gets angry at him for some time
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Casca: family friend of Caesar, first to stab Caesar, cynical, rude, witty, perceptive

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">In Act IV Scene 1, the reader/audience sees a new side of Antony. In the scene before, we see Antony as a "savior" for the people of Rome. Now, Antony has morphed into a heartless commander. The money from Caesar's will he promised to the citizens is now going to fund Antony's army. It seems that the empty promise of money was just used to gain leverage over Brutus. In addition, Antony insults Lepidus behind his back. Antony comes to a realization of how he and Octavius should take action. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth: A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds On objects, arts and imitations, Which out of use and stal'd by other men, Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him But as a property. (lines 35-40) //
 * __<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">Antony __**

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">In Act IV Scene I, the reader/audience is just starting to see Octavius' role in the play. Octavius is still starting to grow into his role as the leader of Rome. He is listening to Antony for political advisory. Octavius is starting to understand the way that Antony thinks, and tries to input some help with their situation. Through Antony, Octavius gains the knowledge and power he needs for him to become emperor later in his life.
 * __<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">Octavius __**

//Let us do so; for we are at the stake// //And bayed about with many enemies; And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, Millions of mischief's. (lines 48-51)//

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">**__Brutus__** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">While Antony and Octavius are planning their stragey, Brutus is planning his. When Cassius shows up and claims that Brutus had wronged him, Brutus defends himself by pointing out the reasons for killing Caesar and as leaders, the duty that they worked so hard to improve. Brutus lets out his dislikes for Cassius, and starts a fight. After they come to conclusion, things cool down, and they focus on the plan of attack together. Later at night, the ghost of Caesar comes and warns Brutus of the battle at Phillippi, then vanishes. Nobody else saw the vision of Caesar's ghost in the tent.

Important quote from when Brutus is speaking to Cassius about the war:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**We at the height are ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. (IV.ii. 269 – 276 ) <span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">This quote is a very well-known quote. Brutus is giving a metaphor about when and how they should fight or attack the other army to the tides in the ocean. This quote is featured in the pilot episode of One Tree Hill.