Act+IV

=__**INTRODUCTION **__  = Act IV is when most of the plotting and planning takes place for the civil war that has erupted over the death of Caesar. Antony has convinced the citizens of Rome that what Brutus and Cassius had done was a mistake, and that putting everyone to justice who was involved with the death of Caesar was the correct action to be taken. With his own share of the Roman army, Antony takes an alliance with Octavius and Lepidus to defeat the opposing armies. Brutus and Cassius also have formed an alliance together to try and defend themselves from the armies of Antony and Octavius. These are the main plot points which will be further explained in more depth down below.

media type="youtube" key="LE7rsPK3Q6s" height="315" width="500" = =  Plot Summary and Analysis


 Antony meets with Octavius and Lepidus at his house to review the list of names of Senate members. From this list they are going to decide which they plan to put to kill or which they plan to keep alive, in order to avenge the murder of Julius Caesar. Antony and Octavius both learn they cannot take exceptions with family, and both agree to kill a close family member because it is necessary. After they begin to begin getting ideas of how to save money. They begin looking over Caesar's will to look for any way the can give more money to the people. Lepidus exits a little while later, leaving Anthony and Octavius alone. Once he is gone Antony asks Octavius whether he feels Lepidus is responsible enough to rule Rome. Octavius says that he does trust him and believes in him. But then Antony expresses more doubt in him, and Octavius tells how he is a "tried and valiant soldier". Antony then compares Lepidus to his horse. The quote is below: 

"So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I do appoint him store of provender: It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion governed by my spirit. And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; He must be taught and trained and bid go forth; A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds On objects, torts and imitations, "

-Act 4, Scene 1. L.L. 29- 37

In this quote, Antony states that any of Lepidus' skills and leadership would be the product of Antony's doings.

Antony and Octavius then begin to talk about Brutus and Cassius and the armies they have formed. They decide to confront Brutus. 


 Brutus is at his home camp. He meets with Lucillius, Titinus, and Pindarus. Lucillius takes Brutus aside to tell him about a message he received from Cassius. The two side aside and Lucillius passes on the message: Cassius is coming. Also he tells him that Cassius has not been happy with Brutus for some time and he should be worried. After hearing this Brutus begins to worry what has become of their friendship. Soon Cassius arrives and with him he brings his army. Right away he begins to accuse Brutus of having wronged him. Brutus denies that he ever did this and wants to understand why he is being accused by Cassius. He suggests they go into the tent alone and that they have Lucius and Titintus guard the door.


  Cassius tells Brutus how he is upset over how Brutus condemned and disgraced Lucius Pella. Cassius says that Brutus did this by bribing the Sardians, who were robbers, in order to gain more men. Brutus gets upset with Cassius and accuses him of taking brides at least once in his life. Also Cassius was in complete support of this by sending letters of his approval. Then he reminds Cassius of how they killed Caesar because they believed it was the right thing to do and because they believed Caesar was no longer fit to rule. He tells Cassius that the way they are acting could make them into exactly what they where out to destroy. Brutus continues to argue that the reason they murdered Caesar was to stop these injustices. They begin insulting each other and Brutus tells how he would not have had to what he did because when he asked Cassius for money he ignored him. Cassius explains how he the messenger misunderstand him and it was not his fault. Then Cassius goes on saying how he has lost his closest friend and ally. He pulls out a dagger and tells Brutus to kill him. He lets out all of the problems, and Cassius responds:  "A friendly eye could never see such faults."

- Act 4, Scene 3. L. 90

Cassius becomes an enemy in the quote above.

Things cool down when Brutus tells him to put the dagger away. They soon make up and forgive each other. Later that night they drink wine together. Cassius learns that Brutus' wife, Portia, committed suicide. They both feel deep regret, and resolve the problem with friendship. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px; line-height: 5px;"> "How scaped I killing when I crossed you so?

O insupportable and touching loss!"

- Act 4, Scene 3. Ll. 149 - 150

Brutus and Cassius discuss tactics on how to attack. Brutus thinks that they should not attack and that they should wait for Antony's army to invade the city. Cassius counter argues with Brutus and says that they should surprise attack Antony's army, because while Antony's army passes through other cities, they may gain more men for their army and thus become stronger.

The quote below is said by Brutus. He is giving a metaphor about the way men attack and how to take adavantage of the tactics they use to a tide of waves in the ocean.

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 current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.

- Act 4, Scene 3, L.L. 218- 224

Cassius and Brutus talking.<span style="color: rgb(0, 48, 255);">

<span style="color: rgb(255, 3, 0);">later on after they talk, make up, and party like its 1969, they all go to sleep. while asleep the ghost of Julius Caesar enter Brutus' tent and says:

<span style="color: rgb(255, 3, 0);">BRUTUS Why comest thou?

GHOST To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.

BRUTUS Well; then I shall see thee again?

GHOST Ay, at Philippi.

BRUTUS Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. Photo of the ghost showing its self

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">after being frightened by the ghost of the man he killed, Brutus rouses the people in his tent, including Cassius, and tells them that they must leave at once. that they cannot wait any longer and that they must attack Mark Antony and his camp now, well not now, just leave now so they can attack some other time.

**//Background Info.//**
//Antony wants everyone to see what Brutus and Cassius did, when the brudly murdered Caesar.//

Now A days, if you were to kill someone, you would go to court and be on trial. I think when Antony is giving his speech about what Brutus, and his men did to Caesar, its what a lawyer would do in a court room to defend someone or accuse them of being guilty....and all the citizens in Rome would be the like the jury people who help the judge decide what to do. Back then in Rome, that's kind of what they had, with Antony, Cassius, and Brutus they had a trial outside and the people decided what they thought of them, and what they should do..If you kill someone, you should pay time to do the bad deed that you did not just to the person you killed, but the people that who also had to deal with the death..the death of Caesar is no different like the Queen dying in England for example, it would be big if someone murdered her..but lets not hope that, that will ever happen. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
 * How its relevant today..**