Julius Caesar: Act 4 – Contextual Q&A

Question 1

Read the extract from 'Julius Caesar' Act 4, Scene 1, given below and answer the questions that follow:

Antony: These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked.
Octavius: Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus: I do consent.
Octavius: Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus: Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
Antony: He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.

(i) Who are "these many" that Antony refers to? What does "their names are pricked" mean? [3]
(ii) What condition does Lepidus place before consenting to the death of his own brother? What does his action reveal about him? [3]
(iii) What does Antony mean when he says "with a spot I damn him"? Explain the exchange between Lepidus and Antony regarding family members. [3]
(iv) What is Antony's true opinion of Lepidus as revealed after Lepidus leaves the scene? Support your answer with references to the text. [3]
(v) What does this scene reveal about the character of the Triumvirs? How does their behavior compare to Caesar's alleged ambition? What future consequences might result from their ruthlessness? [4]

Suggested Answers:

(i) "These many" refers to the list of enemies and political opponents of the Second Triumvirate who must be eliminated. "Their names are pricked" means their names have been marked or written down on a list—"pricked" being the past participle of "prick," meaning to mark or record. These are people the Triumvirs have decided to execute to secure their power.

(ii) Lepidus places the condition that Antony's nephew Publius must also be killed if Antony expects Lepidus to consent to his own brother's death. This reveals that Lepidus, though apparently weak, is willing to negotiate and make demands. It also shows his ruthlessness—he will sacrifice his own brother for political security but demands reciprocal sacrifice from Antony. His action demonstrates that even "unmeritable" men participate in the brutality of power.

(iii) "With a spot I damn him" means Antony marks Publius's name with a spot or stain on the proscription list, thereby condemning him to death. The exchange reveals the coldness of political calculation: Lepidus willingly sacrifices his brother; Antony agrees to sacrifice his nephew. They trade deaths as political currency, showing how power corrupts morality. Neither man shows hesitation or grief—they simply negotiate whose relatives will die.

(iv) After Lepidus leaves, Antony reveals his contempt for Lepidus to Octavius. He calls Lepidus "a slight unmeritable man" who is fit only to be "sent on errands." Antony questions whether Lepidus deserves to be one of the three sharing the "threefold world." He describes Lepidus as "a barren spirited fellow" and suggests they will use him temporarily then discard him "like an old horse." This reveals Antony's manipulative nature and his view of Lepidus as a mere tool rather than an equal partner.

(v) This scene reveals that the Triumvirs are ruthless, calculating, and willing to commit murder to maintain power. They are as willing to execute family members as they are to execute enemies, showing complete moral corruption. Compared to Caesar, who was accused of ambition, the Triumvirs appear equally if not more ruthless—yet they face no opposition because they control military power. The irony is that those who killed Caesar to prevent tyranny are themselves becoming tyrants. The future consequence is that their alliance is unstable—Antony's contempt for Lepidus foreshadows betrayal once the common enemy (Brutus and Cassius) is defeated.

Question 2

Read the extract from 'Julius Caesar' Act 4, Scene 3, given below and answer the questions that follow:

Cassius: You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella for taking bribes here of the Sardians; and my plea for him was disregarded.
Brutus: What is the cause that my temperate is suddenly gone?
Cassius: You wronged me every way; and I, the while, with patience heard you.
Brutus: You are not, Cassius.
Cassius: I denied you not. But you have made yourself and me—subjects of some scandal.
Brutus: I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so.

(i) What is Cassius's complaint against Brutus? Why does Cassius feel wronged? [3]
(ii) How does the quarrel escalate? What does Cassius offer to Brutus, and what is the significance of this gesture? [3]
(iii) What does Brutus's response reveal about his character? Why does he claim he cannot "bear" accepting bribes? [3]
(iv) How is the quarrel resolved? What does the reconciliation reveal about the relationship between Brutus and Cassius? [3]
(v) What personal tragedy does Brutus learn about during this scene? How does this tragedy affect Brutus? What does his reaction reveal about his state of mind and his priorities? [4]

Suggested Answers:

(i) Cassius's complaint is that Brutus condemned and executed Lucius Pella for accepting bribes from the Sardians. Cassius had personally requested that Brutus pardon Pella, but Brutus ignored his plea. Cassius feels wronged because his authority and requests were disregarded, and because Brutus appears to be maintaining strict military discipline while ignoring Cassius's counsel. This represents Brutus putting principle (no bribes) above friendship and loyalty.

(ii) The quarrel escalates when Brutus accuses Cassius of accepting bribes himself—"an itching palm." Cassius becomes enraged and offers his dagger to Brutus, saying "Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; now strike home." This is significant because Cassius is either genuinely offering himself to be killed or challenging Brutus to prove his loyalty by killing his best friend. The gesture is both accusatory (reminding Brutus he killed Caesar) and reconciliatory (offering his life). It reflects the intensity of their conflict but also their deep emotional investment in each other.

(iii) Brutus's response reveals his rigid moral principles. When he says he has "as much of this in art as you," he means he understands corruption as well as Cassius, but his nature "could not bear it." This shows Brutus as idealistic and principled—he will not compromise his standards even to maintain Cassius's support. However, it also reveals his inflexibility and how his principles can alienate even loyal allies. Brutus prioritizes moral correctness over practical alliance-building.

(iv) The quarrel is resolved when Titinius and Messala enter and express their concern that the leaders' conflict will demoralize the army. Recognizing this danger, Brutus and Cassius reconcile. Brutus admits he was harsh; Cassius begs pardon. They embrace. This reconciliation reveals that despite their differences, Brutus and Cassius remain deeply bonded. Their primary loyalty is to each other and to their shared cause, even when they disagree strongly. The ease of reconciliation suggests their conflict stems from stress and grief rather than fundamental break in trust.

(v) Brutus learns that his wife Portia has died. The news is delivered when Messala brings reports of military affairs. Brutus learns Portia died from anxiety about events in Rome and killed herself by swallowing fire. Brutus is initially devastated but attempts to control his emotions, saying "She is dead?" and then composing himself to continue business. His reaction reveals that despite his grief, his sense of duty to the army and the cause supersedes personal emotion. Yet his emotional suppression also suggests he is burdened by guilt—Portia's death is a consequence of his actions in the conspiracy. His priorities are clearly political rather than personal, which contrasts with earlier scenes where he was more emotionally connected.

Question 3

Read the extract from 'Julius Caesar' Act 4, Scene 3, given below and answer the questions that follow:

Brutus: Thou art coming? [seeing the ghost] Who comes here?... Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, that makest my blood cold with horror?
Ghost: I am thy evil spirit, Brutus.
Brutus: Why comest thou?
Ghost: To tell thee thou shalt see me by Philippi.
Brutus: Well; then I shall see thee again?
Ghost: Ay, at Philippi.

(i) Who appears to Brutus, and under what circumstances does this appearance occur? [3]
(ii) What does the Ghost claim about itself? What is the significance of it being Brutus's "evil spirit"? [3]
(iii) What is the Ghost's message to Brutus? How does Brutus respond to this message? [3]
(iv) Discuss the supernatural element in this scene. Is the Ghost real or a manifestation of Brutus's guilt? What evidence supports your interpretation? [3]
(v) What is the dramatic purpose of the Ghost's appearance? How does this scene foreshadow Brutus's fate? What does the mention of Philippi suggest about Brutus's future? [4]

Suggested Answers:

Question 4

Read the extract from 'Julius Caesar' Act 4, Scene 1, given below and answer the questions that follow:

Antony: This is a slight unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands; is it fit The threefold world divided, he should stand One of the three to share it?
Octavius: You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
Antony: So is my horse, Octavius. And for that, I do appoint him to our purposes; And, having brought our treasure where we want it, Then take we down his power as we do down A horse o'er-laden; and then shake him off Like to the empty ass to shake his ears And graze in commons.

(i) How does Antony describe Lepidus? What does Octavius say in Lepidus's favor? [3]
(ii) What is Antony's plan for Lepidus? Explain the metaphor of the horse. [3]
(iii) How does this passage reveal Antony's true nature? What is Antony's attitude toward loyalty and alliance? [3]
(iv) How does Octavius respond to Antony's plan? What does this suggest about the future relationship between Antony and Octavius? [3]
(v) Compare the Triumvirs' ruthlessness with the conspirators' original stated motives for killing Caesar. Do the Triumvirs achieve what they set out to accomplish? What does this contrast suggest about power and corruption? [4]

Suggested Answers:

(i) Antony describes Lepidus as "slight" (insignificant), "unmeritable" (unworthy), and fit only to be "sent on errands." Octavius defends Lepidus by saying he is "a tried and valiant soldier," suggesting Lepidus has proven himself through military service and bravery. Octavius acknowledges Lepidus's practical military value, whereas Antony dismisses his political capability and character.

(ii) Antony's plan is to use Lepidus's military power and resources to defeat Brutus and Cassius, but then to strip him of power and discard him. The metaphor compares Lepidus to a horse used to carry treasure: once the horse has delivered the treasure to where it's needed, the Triumvirs will "take down his power" (remove his position/authority) as if removing a load from an overloaded horse, then shake him off "like to the empty ass" to wander uselessly. The metaphor reduces Lepidus from a human ally to a beast of burden.

(iii) This passage reveals Antony as ruthless, manipulative, and completely amoral regarding loyalty and alliance. Antony views people as tools to be used and discarded. His plan to betray Lepidus—even as Lepidus is currently serving them—shows he has no concept of honor or gratitude. He treats loyalty as a temporary convenience, not a binding obligation. Antony is willing to work with allies only for instrumental purposes, then eliminate them. This reveals him as calculating and pragmatic to the point of complete moral corruption.

(iv) Octavius's response is restrained. He says "You may do your will," suggesting he doesn't forcefully object to Antony's plan. However, his earlier defense of Lepidus suggests he is not entirely comfortable with Antony's ruthlessness. This foreshadows future conflict: Octavius does not fully embrace Antony's views, suggesting that once the common enemy is defeated, Octavius may challenge Antony's dominance. The fact that Antony is asserting control and Octavius is accepting (reluctantly) suggests Octavius is currently weaker but potentially dangerous.

(v) The conspirators claimed they killed Caesar to prevent tyranny and to preserve the republic. However, the Triumvirs are proving as ruthless and tyrannical as Caesar was accused of being—perhaps more so. They execute without trial, betray allies, and care only about power consolidation. This suggests the conspirators have not achieved their goal; instead, they have replaced one tyrant with multiple tyrants. The contrast suggests a tragic irony: killing a tyrant doesn't prevent tyranny; it merely redistributes it. The play implies that power itself corrupts absolutely, regardless of the initial justifications. Those who seize power through violence become as corrupt as those they overthrow.