Act 4, Scene 3 — Julius Caesar

The argument Brutus and Cassius quarrel bitterly inside their tent, reconcile, then learn of Portia's death — and Caesar's ghost appears to promise a meeting at Philippi.

Enter Brutus and Cassius.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

That you have wrong’d me doth appear in this:

You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella

For taking bribes here of the Sardians;

Wherein my letters, praying on his side

Because I knew the man, were slighted off.

That you have wrong’d me does appear in this: You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein my letters, praying on his side Because I knew the man, were slighted off.

that you have wrong’d me doth appear in this: you have condemn’d and noted lucius pella for taking bribes here of the sardians; wherein my letters, praying on his side...

"noted Lucius Pella" 'Noted' meant formally disgraced — your name posted publicly, like being struck off a professional register. A serious civic punishment.

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

You wrong’d yourself to write in such a case.

you wrong’d yourself to write in such a case

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

In such a time as this it is not meet

That every nice offence should bear his comment.

In such a time as this it is not meet That every nice offence should bear his comment.

In such a time as this it isn't meet That every nice offence should bear his comment.

in such a time as this it is not meet that every nice offence should bear his comment

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself

Are much condemn’d to have an itching palm,

To sell and mart your offices for gold

To undeservers.

Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn’d to have an itching palm, To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers.

let me tell you, cassius, you yourself are much condemn’d to have an itching palm, to sell and mart your offices for gold to undeservers

"itching palm" An idiom meaning hands that tingle for bribery money — so established it's almost proverbial by Shakespeare's day. Cassius hears it as a profound insult to his honor as a Roman soldier.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I an itching palm!

You know that you are Brutus that speak this,

Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.

I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.

I an itching palm! You know that you're Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.

i an itching palm

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

The name of Cassius honours this corruption,

And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.

The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement does therefore hide his head.

the name of cassius honours this corruption, and chastisement doth therefore hide his head

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Chastisement!

chastisement

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Remember March, the Ides of March remember:

Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?

What villain touch’d his body, that did stab,

And not for justice? What! Shall one of us,

That struck the foremost man of all this world

But for supporting robbers, shall we now

Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,

And sell the mighty space of our large honours

For so much trash as may be grasped thus?

I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,

Than such a Roman.

Remember March, the Ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake? What villain touch’d his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What! Shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.

remember march, the ides of march remember: did not great julius bleed for justice’ sake

"Remember March, the Ides of March remember" Brutus inverts the conspirators' own rallying cry — using the assassination as a moral standard that Cassius's conduct now falls beneath. The repetition is rhetorical: he's making Cassius feel the weight of the date.

Why it matters This is where Brutus weaponizes the murder of Caesar as a moral baseline — a strikingly ironic move that shows how thoroughly he has justified the assassination to himself.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Brutus, bait not me,

I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself,

To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,

Older in practice, abler than yourself

To make conditions.

Brutus, bait not me, I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself, To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, Older in practice, abler than yourself To make conditions.

Brutus, bait not me, I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself, To hedge me in. I'm a soldier, I, Older in practice, abler than yourself To make conditions.

brutus, bait not me, i’ll not endure it

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Go to; you are not, Cassius.

Go to; you're not, Cassius.

go to; you are not, cassius

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I am.

I'm.

i am

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I say you are not.

I say you're not.

i say you are not

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Urge me no more, I shall forget myself;

Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther.

Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther.

urge me no more, i shall forget myself; have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Away, slight man!

away, slight man

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Is’t possible?

is’t possible

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Hear me, for I will speak.

Must I give way and room to your rash choler?

Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?

Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?

hear me, for i will speak

"rash choler" Choler = anger, one of the four humors. 'Rash choler' means hot-headed rage. Brutus is diagnosing Cassius's temper as a physiological imbalance — both an insult and a medical claim.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

O ye gods, ye gods! Must I endure all this?

o ye gods, ye gods

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;

Go show your slaves how choleric you are,

And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?

Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch

Under your testy humour? By the gods,

You shall digest the venom of your spleen,

Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,

I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,

When you are waspish.

All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Go show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods, You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish.

All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; Go show your slaves how choleric you're, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods, You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you're waspish.

all this

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Is it come to this?

is it come to this

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

You say you are a better soldier:

Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,

And it shall please me well. For mine own part,

I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

You say you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well. For mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

You say you're a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well. For mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

you say you are a better soldier: let it appear so; make your vaunting true, and it shall please me well

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus.

I said, an elder soldier, not a better:

Did I say better?

You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus. I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say better?

you wrong me every way, you wrong me, brutus

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

If you did, I care not.

if you did, i care not

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

When Caesar liv’d, he durst not thus have mov’d me.

when caesar liv’d, he durst not thus have mov’d me

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.

peace, peace

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I durst not?

i durst not

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

No.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

What? durst not tempt him?

what

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

For your life you durst not.

for your life you durst not

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Do not presume too much upon my love.

I may do that I shall be sorry for.

Do not presume too much upon my love. I may do that I shall be sorry for.

do not presume too much upon my love

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

You have done that you should be sorry for.

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,

For I am arm’d so strong in honesty,

That they pass by me as the idle wind,

Which I respect not. I did send to you

For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;

For I can raise no money by vile means:

By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart,

And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring

From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash

By any indirection. I did send

To you for gold to pay my legions,

Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?

Should I have answer’d Caius Cassius so?

When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

To lock such rascal counters from his friends,

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,

Dash him to pieces!

You have done that you should be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I am arm’d so strong in honesty, That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; For I can raise no money by vile means: By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer’d Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Dash him to pieces!

You have done that you should be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I'm arm’d so strong in honesty, That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; For I can raise no money by vile means: By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer’d Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Dash him to pieces!

you have done that you should be sorry for

"I am arm'd so strong in honesty" Brutus believes his own integrity is literal armor. This self-image is both genuinely admirable and dangerously self-deceiving — he cannot see that honesty alone doesn't win wars.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I denied you not.

i denied you not

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

You did.

you did

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I did not. He was but a fool

That brought my answer back. Brutus hath riv’d my heart.

A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities;

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

I did not. He was but a fool That brought my answer back. Brutus has riv’d my heart. A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities; But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

i did not

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I do not, till you practise them on me.

I don't, till you practise them on me.

i do not, till you practise them on me

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

You love me not.

you love me not

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I do not like your faults.

I don't like your faults.

i do not like your faults

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

A friendly eye could never see such faults.

a friendly eye could never see such faults

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear

As huge as high Olympus.

A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus.

A flatterer’s wouldn't, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus.

a flatterer’s would not, though they do appear as huge as high olympus

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,

Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,

For Cassius is a-weary of the world:

Hated by one he loves; brav’d by his brother;

Check’d like a bondman; all his faults observ’d,

Set in a note-book, learn’d and conn’d by rote,

To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep

My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,

And here my naked breast; within, a heart

Dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold:

If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth.

I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:

Strike as thou didst at Caesar; for I know,

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better

Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.

Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is a-weary of the world: Hated by one he loves; brav’d by his brother; Check’d like a bondman; all his faults observ’d, Set in a note-book, learn’d and conn’d by rote, To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger, And here my naked breast; within, a heart Dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold: If that you be’st a Roman, take it forth. I, that denied you gold, will give my heart: Strike as you did at Caesar; for I know, When you did hate him worst, you lovedst him better Than ever you lovedst Cassius.

come, antony, and young octavius, come, revenge yourselves alone on cassius, for cassius is a-weary of the world: hated by one he loves; brav’d by his brother; check’d like a...

"Set in a note-book, learn'd and conn'd by rote" 'Conn'd by rote' means memorized by repetition — like a student studying Latin. The image is almost comically bureaucratic: Brutus as a schoolboy diligently recording Cassius's every fault.

Why it matters This is the emotional bottom of the quarrel — Cassius's offer of his own heart is Shakespeare's most naked expression of how deeply these two men need each other, and how destructive Brutus's rigid virtue has become.

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Sheathe your dagger.

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;

Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.

O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb

That carries anger as the flint bears fire,

Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,

And straight is cold again.

Sheathe your dagger. Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb That carries anger as the flint bears fire, Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, And straight is cold again.

Sheathe your dagger. Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. O Cassius, you're yoked with a lamb That carries anger as the flint bears fire, Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, And straight is cold again.

sheathe your dagger

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Hath Cassius liv’d

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,

When grief and blood ill-temper’d vexeth him?

has Cassius liv’d To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief and blood ill-temper’d vexeth him?

hath cassius liv’d to be but mirth and laughter to his brutus, when grief and blood ill-temper’d vexeth him

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

When I spoke that, I was ill-temper’d too.

when i spoke that, i was ill-temper’d too

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.

do you confess so much

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

And my heart too.

and my heart too

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

O Brutus!

o brutus

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

What’s the matter?

what’s the matter

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Have not you love enough to bear with me,

When that rash humour which my mother gave me

Makes me forgetful?

Have not you love enough to bear with me, When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful?

have not you love enough to bear with me, when that rash humour which my mother gave me makes me forgetful

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth,

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,

He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.

Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.

Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth, When you're over-earnest with your Brutus, He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.

yes, cassius; and from henceforth, when you are over-earnest with your brutus, he’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so

Enter Poet, followed by Lucilius, Titinius and Lucius.

[_Within._] Let me go in to see the generals,

POET ≋ verse Speaking from personal perspective

There is some grudge between ’em; ’tis not meet

They be alone.

There is some grudge between ’em; ’tis not meet They be alone.

there is some grudge between ’em; ’tis not meet they be alone

[_Within._] You shall not come to them.

[_Within._] Nothing but death shall stay me.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

How now! What’s the matter?

how now

POET ≋ verse Speaking from personal perspective

For shame, you generals! What do you mean?

Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;

For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.

For shame, you generals! What do you mean? Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.

for shame, you generals

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme!

Ha, ha! How vilely does this cynic rhyme!

ha, ha

"cynic rhyme" 'Cynic' here refers to the Cynic school of philosophy — its followers were famous for blunt, rude speech. Cassius is mocking the Poet's pretension as much as his verse.

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!

Get you hence, sir. Saucy fellow, hence!

get you hence, sirrah

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Bear with him, Brutus; ’tis his fashion.

bear with him, brutus; ’tis his fashion

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I’ll know his humour when he knows his time.

What should the wars do with these jigging fools?

Companion, hence!

I’ll know his humour when he knows his time. What should the wars do with these jigging fools? Companion, hence!

i’ll know his humour when he knows his time

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Away, away, be gone!

away, away, be gone

[_Exit Poet._]

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders

Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.

Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.

lucilius and titinius, bid the commanders prepare to lodge their companies tonight

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

And come yourselves and bring Messala with you

Immediately to us.

And come yourselves and bring Messala with you Immediately to us.

and come yourselves and bring messala with you immediately to us

[_Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius._]

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Lucius, a bowl of wine.

lucius, a bowl of wine

[_Exit Lucius._]

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I did not think you could have been so angry.

i did not think you could have been so angry

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.

O Cassius, I'm sick of many griefs.

o cassius, i am sick of many griefs

Why it matters This line is the hinge of the scene — Brutus finally, briefly, lets the mask down. It lasts only one line before Cassius pushes back with philosophy, and Brutus steels himself again.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Of your philosophy you make no use,

If you give place to accidental evils.

Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils.

of your philosophy you make no use, if you give place to accidental evils

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.

no man bears sorrow better

Why it matters This is the most devastating line in the scene — delivered flatly, almost as a correction, in the middle of a philosophical argument. Brutus's restraint here is either superhuman or broken.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Ha? Portia?

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

She is dead.

she is dead

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

How ’scap’d I killing, when I cross’d you so?

O insupportable and touching loss!

Upon what sickness?

How ’scap’d I killing, when I cross’d you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness?

how ’scap’d i killing, when i cross’d you so

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Impatient of my absence,

And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony

Have made themselves so strong; for with her death

That tidings came. With this she fell distract,

And, her attendants absent, swallow’d fire.

Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong; for with her death That tidings came. With this she fell distract, And, her attendants absent, swallow’d fire.

impatient of my absence, and grief that young octavius with mark antony have made themselves so strong; for with her death that tidings came

"swallow'd fire" Portia's death is taken directly from Plutarch: she swallowed live coals when her attendants left her. Shakespeare's audience would have known this from historical reading; for them it would have confirmed Portia as an extraordinary Roman woman.

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

And died so?

and died so

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Even so.

even so

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

O ye immortal gods!

o ye immortal gods

Enter Lucius, with wine and a taper.

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.

In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.

Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.

speak no more of her

[_Drinks._]

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.

Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup.

I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.

My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup. I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.

My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup. I can't drink too much of Brutus’ love.

my heart is thirsty for that noble pledge

[_Drinks._]

[_Exit Lucius._]

Enter Titinius and Messala.

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Come in, Titinius!

Welcome, good Messala.

Now sit we close about this taper here,

And call in question our necessities.

Come in, Titinius! Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities.

come in, titinius

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Portia, art thou gone?

Portia, are you gone?

portia, art thou gone

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

No more, I pray you.

Messala, I have here received letters,

That young Octavius and Mark Antony

Come down upon us with a mighty power,

Bending their expedition toward Philippi.

No more, I pray you. Messala, I have here received letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, Bending their expedition toward Philippi.

no more, i pray you

MESSALA Speaking from personal perspective

Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.

myself have letters of the selfsame tenor

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

With what addition?

with what addition

MESSALA ≋ verse Speaking from personal perspective

That by proscription and bills of outlawry

Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus

Have put to death an hundred Senators.

That by proscription and bills of outlawry Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus Have put to death an hundred Senators.

that by proscription and bills of outlawry octavius, antony, and lepidus have put to death an hundred senators

"proscription and bills of outlawry" Roman proscription: you post a list of names. Anyone on it can be killed by any citizen, who then claims a bounty. An industrialized form of political murder — efficient, legal, devastating.

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Therein our letters do not well agree.

Mine speak of seventy Senators that died

By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.

Therein our letters do not well agree. Mine speak of seventy Senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.

Therein our letters don't well agree. Mine speak of seventy Senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.

therein our letters do not well agree

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Cicero one!

cicero one

"Cicero one!" Rome's greatest orator and statesman — killed in the proscriptions despite not being part of the conspiracy. His death tells the audience exactly how ruthless the triumvirate is willing to be.

MESSALA ≋ verse Speaking from personal perspective

Cicero is dead,

And by that order of proscription.

Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?

Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription. Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?

cicero is dead, and by that order of proscription

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

No, Messala.

no, messala

MESSALA Speaking from personal perspective

Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?

nor nothing in your letters writ of her

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Nothing, Messala.

nothing, messala

MESSALA Speaking from personal perspective

That, methinks, is strange.

That, I think, is strange.

that, methinks, is strange

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?

why ask you

MESSALA Speaking from personal perspective

No, my lord.

no, my lord

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Now as you are a Roman, tell me true.

Now as you're a Roman, tell me true.

now as you are a roman, tell me true

MESSALA ≋ verse Speaking from personal perspective

Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell,

For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.

Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell, For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.

Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell, For certain she's dead, and by strange manner.

then like a roman bear the truth i tell, for certain she is dead, and by strange manner

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.

With meditating that she must die once,

I have the patience to endure it now.

Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala. With meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to endure it now.

why, farewell, portia

Why it matters This is the scene's most debated moment — Brutus has already told Cassius of Portia's death and is now performing the Stoic reception of the news for Messala. Whether this is admirable discipline or pathological denial is a question every production has to answer.

🎭 Dramatic irony Brutus receives the news of Portia's death from Messala with Stoic calm — but the audience knows he already told Cassius privately moments before. The performance of endurance for Messala is either a model of Roman discipline or a denial so complete it has become pathology.

MESSALA Speaking from personal perspective

Even so great men great losses should endure.

even so great men great losses should endure

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I have as much of this in art as you,

But yet my nature could not bear it so.

I have as much of this in are as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so.

I have as much of this in are as you, But yet my nature couldn't bear it so.

i have as much of this in art as you, but yet my nature could not bear it so

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Well, to our work alive. What do you think

Of marching to Philippi presently?

Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently?

well, to our work alive

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

I do not think it good.

I don't think it good.

i do not think it good

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Your reason?

your reason

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

This it is:

’Tis better that the enemy seek us;

So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,

Doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still,

Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness.

This it is: ’Tis better that the enemy seek us; So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still, Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness.

this it is: ’tis better that the enemy seek us; so shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still, are full of rest,...

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Good reasons must of force give place to better.

The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground

Do stand but in a forced affection;

For they have grudg’d us contribution.

The enemy, marching along by them,

By them shall make a fuller number up,

Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encourag’d;

From which advantage shall we cut him off

If at Philippi we do face him there,

These people at our back.

Good reasons must of force give place to better. The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forced affection; For they have grudg’d us contribution. The enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller number up, Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encourag’d; From which advantage shall we cut him off If at Philippi we do face him there, These people at our back.

good reasons must of force give place to better

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Hear me, good brother.

hear me, good brother

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Under your pardon. You must note besides,

That we have tried the utmost of our friends,

Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.

The enemy increaseth every day;

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.

Under your pardon. You must note besides, That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe. The enemy increaseth every day; 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.

under your pardon

"There is a tide in the affairs of men" One of the most quoted passages in Shakespeare — and the most tragic, because Brutus's reasoning here, though eloquent, is strategically wrong. Cassius's plan was better. The speech that convinces everyone to march to Philippi is the speech that seals their doom.

Why it matters This is the second great decision Brutus makes against Cassius's better military judgment — the first was allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Both times, Brutus's eloquence wins, and both times he is wrong.

↩ Callback to 3-2 Brutus overrode Cassius on letting Antony speak (3-2) — now he overrides him again on strategy. The pattern of Brutus winning the argument and losing the war is fully established.

🎭 Dramatic irony Brutus's 'tide' speech convinces everyone to march to Philippi — but the audience watching this play for the second time knows that Cassius's plan to wait was the correct military strategy. The very eloquence that doomed Caesar now dooms Brutus.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Then, with your will, go on:

We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.

Then, with your will, go on: We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.

then, with your will, go on: we’ll along ourselves, and meet them at philippi

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

The deep of night is crept upon our talk,

And nature must obey necessity,

Which we will niggard with a little rest.

There is no more to say?

The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature must obey necessity, Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say?

the deep of night is crept upon our talk, and nature must obey necessity, which we will niggard with a little rest

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

No more. Good night:

Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.

No more. Good night: Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.

no more

Enter Lucius.

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Lucius! My gown.

lucius

[_Exit Lucius._]

Farewell now, good Messala.

Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,

Good night, and good repose.

CASSIUS ≋ verse Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

O my dear brother!

This was an ill beginning of the night.

Never come such division ’tween our souls!

Let it not, Brutus.

O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night. Never come such division ’tween our souls! Let it not, Brutus.

o my dear brother

Enter Lucius with the gown.

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Everything is well.

everything is well

CASSIUS Manipulative, ambitious, resentful of Caesar

Good night, my lord.

good night, my lord

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Good night, good brother.

TITINIUS and MESSALA.

Good night, Lord Brutus.

Good night, good brother. TITINIUS and MESSALA. Good night, Lord Brutus.

good night, good brother

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Farewell, everyone.

farewell, everyone

[_Exeunt Cassius, Titinius and Messala._]

Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Here in the tent.

here in the tent

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

What, thou speak’st drowsily?

Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o’er-watch’d.

Call Claudius and some other of my men;

I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

What, you speak’st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame you not, you are o’er-watch’d. Call Claudius and some other of my men; I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

What, you speak’st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame you not, you're o’er-watch’d. Call Claudius and some other of my men; I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

what, thou speak’st drowsily

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Varro and Claudius!

varro and claudius

Enter Varro and Claudius.

VARRO Speaking from personal perspective

Calls my lord?

calls my lord

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;

It may be I shall raise you by-and-by

On business to my brother Cassius.

I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by-and-by On business to my brother Cassius.

i pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; it may be i shall raise you by-and-by on business to my brother cassius

VARRO Speaking from personal perspective

So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.

so please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I will not have it so; lie down, good sirs,

It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.

Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so;

I put it in the pocket of my gown.

I will not have it so; lie down, good sirs, It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so; I put it in the pocket of my gown.

I won't have it so; lie down, good sirs, It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so; I put it in the pocket of my gown.

i will not have it so; lie down, good sirs, it may be i shall otherwise bethink me

[_Servants lie down._]

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

I was sure your lordship did not give it me.

i was sure your lordship did not give it me

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.

Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,

And touch thy instrument a strain or two?

Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. can you hold up your heavy eyes awhile, And touch your instrument a strain or two?

Bear with me, good boy, I'm much forgetful. can you hold up your heavy eyes awhile, And touch your instrument a strain or two?

bear with me, good boy, i am much forgetful

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Ay, my lord, an’t please you.

ay, my lord, an’t please you

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

It does, my boy.

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.

It does, my boy. I trouble you too much, but you are willing.

It does, my boy. I trouble you too much, but you're willing.

it does, my boy

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

It is my duty, sir.

it is my duty, sir

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

I should not urge thy duty past thy might;

I know young bloods look for a time of rest.

I should not urge your duty past your might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest.

I shouldn't urge your duty past your might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest.

i should not urge thy duty past thy might; i know young bloods look for a time of rest

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

I have slept, my lord, already.

i have slept, my lord, already

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again;

I will not hold thee long. If I do live,

I will be good to thee.

It was well done, and you shall sleep again; I will not hold you long. If I do live, I will be good to you.

It was well done, and you shall sleep again; I won't hold you long. If I do live, I will be good to you.

it was well done, and thou shalt sleep again; i will not hold thee long

[_Lucius plays and sings till he falls asleep._]

This is a sleepy tune. O murd’rous slumber,

Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,

That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night;

I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.

If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument;

I’ll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night.

Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn’d down

Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.

Enter the Ghost of Caesar.

How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?

I think it is the weakness of mine eyes

That shapes this monstrous apparition.

It comes upon me. Art thou anything?

Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,

That mak’st my blood cold and my hair to stare?

Speak to me what thou art.

GHOST Speaking from personal perspective

Thy evil spirit, Brutus.

your evil spirit, Brutus.

thy evil spirit, brutus

Why it matters The Ghost identifies itself as Brutus's 'evil spirit' — not Caesar's ghost demanding revenge, but something that belongs to Brutus, has grown out of him. Whether it's supernatural or psychological, that self-identification is the most chilling element of the scene.

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Why com’st thou?

Why com’st you?

why com’st thou

GHOST Speaking from personal perspective

To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.

To tell you you shall see me at Philippi.

to tell thee thou shalt see me at philippi

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Well; then I shall see thee again?

Well; then I shall see you again?

well; then i shall see thee again

GHOST Speaking from personal perspective

Ay, at Philippi.

ay, at philippi

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Why, I will see thee at Philippi then.

Why, I will see you at Philippi then.

why, i will see thee at philippi then

[_Ghost vanishes._]

Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest.

Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.

Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius!

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

The strings, my lord, are false.

the strings, my lord, are false

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

He thinks he still is at his instrument.

Lucius, awake!

He thinks he still is at his instrument. Lucius, awake!

he thinks he still is at his instrument

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

My lord?

my lord

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?

did you dream, Lucius, that you so criedst out?

didst thou dream, lucius, that thou so criedst out

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

My lord, I do not know that I did cry.

My lord, I don't know that I did cry.

my lord, i do not know that i did cry

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see anything?

Yes, that you did. did you see anything?

yes, that thou didst

LUCIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Nothing, my lord.

nothing, my lord

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius!

Fellow thou, awake!

Sleep again, Lucius. sir Claudius! Fellow you, awake!

sleep again, lucius

VARRO Speaking from personal perspective

My lord?

my lord

CLAUDIUS Speaking from personal perspective

My lord?

my lord

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?

why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep

VARRO. CLAUDIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Did we, my lord?

did we, my lord

BRUTUS Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Ay. Saw you anything?

VARRO Speaking from personal perspective

No, my lord, I saw nothing.

no, my lord, i saw nothing

CLAUDIUS Speaking from personal perspective

Nor I, my lord.

nor i, my lord

BRUTUS ≋ verse Torn between loyalty and duty, intellectual struggle

Go and commend me to my brother Cassius;

Bid him set on his powers betimes before,

And we will follow.

Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; Bid him set on his powers betimes before, And we will follow.

go and commend me to my brother cassius; bid him set on his powers betimes before, and we will follow

VARRO. CLAUDIUS Speaking from personal perspective

It shall be done, my lord.

it shall be done, my lord

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This is the play's emotional centre for Brutus: the quarrel with Cassius exposes how much pressure he's been carrying alone, and the revelation of Portia's death — delivered twice, once privately and once stoically before Messala — shows Brutus performing Stoic endurance while something inside him is breaking. The ghost's arrival at the end turns up what has already been a scene of sustained dread, and the audience leaves the tent knowing Brutus is walking straight into doom.

If this happened today…

Two co-founders of a failing startup are alone in the office at midnight. One accuses the other of siphoning funds. The fight escalates to the point where one of them pulls open his laptop to show the other's bank transfers. Then, in the middle of the screaming match, the quieter one says flatly: 'My wife died last week.' The room goes silent. They pour whiskey. They talk strategy. Then the lights flicker and the founder who killed the deal sees the face of his dead mentor on the security-camera feed.

Continue to 5.1 →