Classic Literature

Julius CaesarAct 5, Scene 4

Act 5

Scene IV

Another part of the field.

	Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers* of both armies; then Brutus, young Cato, Lucilius, and others.*
Brutus	Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Cato	What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I will proclaim my name about the field: I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend; I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
Brutus	And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country’s friend; know me for Brutus! Exit.
Lucilius	O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius; And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son.
First Soldier	Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius	Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight; Offering money. Kill Brutus, and be honour’d in his death.
First Soldier	We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier	Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.
First Soldier	I’ll tell the news. Here comes the general.
	Enter Antony.
	Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.
Antony	Where is he?
Lucilius	Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus: The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
Antony	This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you, A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe; Give him all kindness: I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent How everything is chanced. Exeunt.

Companion

Previously

Act 5, Scene 3: With his troops retreating and his camp attacked, Cassius sends Titinius to identify some distant horsemen, then has Pindarus kill him after a mistaken report that Titinius is captured. Titinius returns from friendly troops, crowns the dead Cassius with a victory wreath and kills himself with Cassius's sword. Brutus arrives, mourns both men, orders Cassius's body sent away from the camp and prepares for another battle before night.

Who's who so far

Flavius Has been put to silence with Marullus for removing decorations from images of Caesar, according to Casca.
Marullus Has been put to silence with Flavius for removing decorations from images of Caesar, according to Casca.
First Commoner A carpenter among the commoners whom Flavius and Marullus confront in the street.
Second Commoner A cobbler who answers the questioning with puns before explaining that the commoners are celebrating Caesar's triumph.
Caesar Appears as a ghost to Brutus, calls himself Brutus's evil spirit and says they will meet at Philippi.
Antony Has his instructions about the army's positions challenged by Octavius and confronts Brutus and Cassius with accusations of flattery and betrayal in Caesar's killing.
Calpurnia Frightened by strange sights and a dream of Caesar's statue bleeding, she briefly persuades him to stay at home before Decius changes his mind.
Portia Has died after swallowing fire, according to Brutus, who attributes her distress to his absence and the strength of Antony and Octavius.
Decius Brutus Helps arrange Metellus Cimber's approach to Caesar and joins the conspirators in killing him.
Cicero Has been put to death by proscription, as both Brutus's letters and Messala report.
Brutus Mourns Cassius and Titinius, attributes their deaths to Caesar's continuing power and orders a second battle before night.
Cassius Believes Pindarus's mistaken report that Titinius is captured and has Pindarus kill him with the sword that struck Caesar.
Casca Strikes Caesar first, beginning the attack in which the other conspirators and Brutus join.
Soothsayer Answers Caesar's remark that the ides of March have come by reminding him that they have not yet gone.
Cinna Joins the attack on Caesar and immediately calls for the streets to hear that tyranny is dead.
Lucius Falls asleep while playing music for Brutus and, when awakened after the ghost's visit, says he saw nothing.
Metellus Cimber Kneels to seek his brother Publius Cimber's return from banishment as the conspirators gather around Caesar, then joins their attack.
Trebonius Draws Antony away before the attack on Caesar and returns to report that Antony has fled home and the streets are in panic.
Caius Ligarius Ill when he visits Brutus, he declares himself ready to follow him in an honourable enterprise without yet knowing what it is.
Caesar's servant Carries Caesar's instructions to the priests and reports their advice to stay at home after they find no heart in the sacrificial animal.
Publius Is bewildered by Caesar's killing, and Brutus and Cassius urge him to leave safely because he has no part in their deed.
Artemidorus Urgently asks Caesar to read his warning first, but Caesar puts aside the personal request and dismisses his insistence.
Lepidus Consents to his brother's death on condition that Antony's nephew Publius also dies, then leaves to fetch Caesar's will.
Popilius Lena Wishes Cassius's enterprise success and approaches Caesar, briefly alarming the conspirators before Brutus reassures Cassius.
Antony's servant Carries Antony's request for safe passage and an explanation of Caesar's death to Brutus, then leaves to fetch his master.
Octavius's servant Reports that Octavius is approaching Rome, weeps at Caesar's body and stays to help Antony carry it to the market-place before taking news back.
First Citizen Calls for Cinna to be torn to pieces on hearing his name, declaring him a conspirator.
Second Citizen Threatens Cinna with a blow after twisting his statement that he is a bachelor into an insult to married men.
Third Citizen Urges the citizens to tear Cinna and carry firebrands to the conspirators' houses.
Fourth Citizen Calls for Cinna to be torn for his verses and dismisses his denial of being the conspirator because he shares the name.
Cinna the poet Goes out despite an unsettling dream and faces citizens calling for him to be torn to pieces even after he explains that he is a poet rather than the conspirator.
Octavius Insists on taking the right side of the field despite Antony's instructions and vows to avenge Caesar or die himself.
Lucilius Reports that Cassius received him politely but without his former warmth, and is ordered to keep others from the generals' private meeting.
Titinius Returns from friendly troops to find Cassius dead, crowns him with the wreath sent by Brutus and kills himself with Cassius's sword.
Pindarus Mistakes Titinius's welcome for capture, kills Cassius at his command and leaves intending to escape to a place where no Roman will know him.
First Soldier Passes on the command to halt when the armies meet before Brutus's tent.
Second Soldier Repeats the command to halt as it passes along the troops.
Third Soldier Repeats the command to halt before the generals begin their dispute.
Poet Insists on entering the generals' tent to urge friendship in rhyme, but Brutus and Cassius send him away.
Messala Returns with news of Brutus's success, finds Cassius dead and brings Brutus to the body after blaming the death on error.
Varro Sleeps in Brutus's tent, says he saw nothing when awakened and is sent with Claudius to tell Cassius to advance early.
Claudius Sleeps in Brutus's tent, denies seeing anything and is sent with Varro to carry Brutus's marching instructions to Cassius.
Messenger Warns Antony and Octavius that the enemy is approaching with its battle signal displayed and that immediate action is needed.
Young Cato Arrives with Brutus at the bodies of Cassius and Titinius and praises Titinius for crowning Cassius.
Strato Enters with Brutus and his companions when they come to find Cassius's body.
Volumnius Enters with Brutus and the others who come to Cassius's body.
First enemy soldiernew Threatens Lucilius with death but then refuses to kill him, believing him to be the valuable prisoner Brutus, and announces the supposed capture to Antony.
Second enemy soldiernew Calls for Antony to be told that Brutus has been captured, mistaking Lucilius for him.

Words to know

straight: immediately
ta’en: taken or captured

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Act 5, Scene 4 in brief

Soldiers fight as Brutus and young Cato urge their countrymen to stand firm. Cato repeatedly declares that he is Marcus Cato's son and an enemy of tyrants, while Brutus proclaims his own name before leaving. Lucilius praises the fallen Cato's brave death, then offers money to an enemy soldier and presents himself as Brutus in asking to be killed. The soldiers instead preserve the supposed noble prisoner and announce his capture to Antony. Lucilius insists that Brutus will never be taken alive and will remain true to himself, but Antony recognises the captive and values him as a man he would prefer as a friend. Antony's order to treat Lucilius kindly turns the encounter from threatened killing to respect for an opponent, while Brutus's whereabouts remain unknown.

Key quotes

A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend;

Why it matters Cato defines his identity through opposition to tyranny and service to his country. His repeated announcement of his father's name ties that claim to family honour.

Power and tyrannyHonour and duty to Rome

I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies.

Why it matters Antony recognises value in the loyalty of a man fighting on the other side. His wish to make such men friends joins respect for Lucilius to the advantage of gaining dependable allies.

Friendship and political loyaltyHonour and duty to RomePower and tyranny

Themes in this chapter

Power and tyrannyHonour and duty to RomeAppearance and realityFriendship and political loyalty

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