Act IV

Act IV

Scene i

Octavius, Lepidus and Antony are meeting at Antony's house to discuss who they think ought to die as a result of Caesar's murder. As they coldly calculate their revenge, Lepidus agrees to allow his brother to be killed on the condition that Antony accept the death of his nephew. Lepidus is then sent to retrieve Caesar's will so that they can look for a way to pay for part of their expenses from Caesar's bequests.

Once Lepidus is gone, Antony belittles him, calling him 'slight' and 'unmeritable' (IV.i.12). He mentions that the only reason Lepidus is any use is to take some of the blame. Octavius reminds Antony that Lepidus is a good soldier which prompts Antony to compare Lepidus to his horse, which he says is also a good soldier. The scene ends with Antony and Octavius making plans to take their armies to meet Brutus and Cassius.

This scene reveals the fragile nature of the new triumvirate. While these men may have joined together to avenge Caesar, they clearly have plans to assume power. They may not be able to rule jointly. Shakespeare's audience would already be familiar with the actual historical events following Caesar's murder. They know that Octavius will ultimately win power in his own right and become known as Caesar Augustus.

Scene ii

This scene takes us to the camp at Sardis where Brutus and Cassius have gathered their armies. Brutus meets with Lucilius and Pindarus (a servant of Cassius) who have just come from Cassius. Pindarus delivers a letter of greeting from Cassius, but Brutus is disappointed to hear from Lucilius that Cassius wasn't as friendly as he has been in the past. He tells Lucilius, 'Thou hast describ'd / A hot friend cooling' (IV.ii.18).

Cassius enters the scene and accuses Brutus of having done him wrong. Before they get involved in an argument they decide that they shouldn't argue in front of their armies. They tell their men to move away and then enter Brutus' tent.

Scene iii

As they enter Brutus' tent, Cassius accuses Brutus of doing him wrong when he punished Lucius Pella for taking bribes after Cassius had written letters to Brutus defending him. Brutus then accuses Cassius of having sold important positions to men who aren't good enough and tells him he is known for taking bribes. Cassius is outraged and tells Brutus that if he was anyone else he'd be dead for saying that.

Their argument grows even more bitter and petty. Brutus reminds Cassius of the Ides of March and asks him if they would dare to degrade their noble efforts by now being known as men who support robbers and accept bribes. He also reminds Cassius of his refusal to help when Brutus requested money to pay his army. Cassius says he didn't refuse and blames the misunderstanding on the messenger.

Cassius becomes very emotional and declares that Brutus has torn his heart by not tolerating his faults. He declares that he could 'weep / My spirit from mine eyes' (IV.iii.99) and die from his grief. In his passion, he offers to let Brutus kill him.

Finally the argument settles down and the two men make peace. As they do, a poet forces his way in so that he can mediate their dispute. Cassius finds the poet funny, but Brutus isn't amused and has him taken away. When they are alone again, Brutus confides that his wife, Portia, has died. After learning how strong Octavius and Antony had become, Portia despaired and killed herself by filling her mouth with burning coals ('swallow'd fire' (IV.iii.156)).

Titinius and Messala enter with news that Octavius and Antony have had 100 senators put to death. Messala also gives Brutus the news that Portia has died, not knowing that Brutus already knows this. He is amazed by the calm response that Brutus has to the news.

Even though he responds calmly, Brutus quickly changes the topic and suggests that they march to Philippi in order to meet their opponents while the army is strong and in good spirits. Cassius suggests waiting and allowing Octavius and Antony to wear their troops out by marching all this way. Once again, Brutus overrules him and they decide to march to Philippi.

After the men leave, Brutus requests that Varro and Claudius come sleep in his tent so that he can have them carry messages to Cassius in the night if he needs them to. He also asks Lucius to play some music for him as he reads his book. This part of the scene demonstrates Brutus' care and concern for his men.

Lucius falls asleep while playing and Brutus is left the only one awake when Caesar's ghost enters his tent. The ghost of Caesar tells Brutus that he will see him at Philippi and then leaves. Brutus wakes the others to find out if they saw the ghost as well, but neither of them did. The scene ends with Brutus sending a message to Cassius to start his troops moving early and Brutus will follow.