ACT V Questions: Scene 1 the Plains of Philippi in Greece

Julius Caesar

Study Guide

Act V

ACT V Questions: Scene 1The plains of Philippi in Greece.

Antony and Octavius enter the battlefield with their army. Brutus and Cassiusenter with their forces. The four leaders meet, but they only exchange insultsand taunts. Antony and Octavius leave to prepare for battle. Cassius expresses hisfears to Messala. Finally, Brutus and Cassius say their final farewells, in casethey should die in battle.

1. What is the setting of Act V?

1. About what do Octavius and Antony argue?

1. Line 20: What does this dialogue reveal about the relationship between Antony and Octavius?

1. Line 47: What is Cassius referring to?

1. Line 62: Whom is Cassius taunting here? What does he think of this “new Caesar”?

1. Line 88: What images in this monologue suggest death and decay?

1. Line 107: Brutus refers again to his stoic philosophy, which taught that he should be ruled by reason, not by emotion. What is Brutus saying about suicide?

1. Line 109: According to this speech, what will happen to the losing armies?

1. What is significant about this day for Cassius?

1. What omens does Cassius observe on the way to Philippi?

Scene 2:

The battlefield.

Brutus sends Messala with orders for the forces across the field

1. How does Brutus feel about the battle at this point?

1. What orders has Brutus given his army?

Scene 3:Another part of the battlefield.

Cassius retreats, losing the battle to Antony’s forces. He sends Titinius to see if nearby forces are friend or enemy. From a hill, Pindarus believes he sees Titinius killed. Completely discouraged, Cassius asks Pindarus to kill him. Titinius returns to find Cassius’ body and kills himself. Brutus and others arrive, having defeated

Octavius army. Messala has brought them to see the body of Cassius. Now they see that Titinius is also dead. Brutus mourns the two, but also looks to a second battle with his enemies.

1. Who wins the first battle?

1. What does Cassius send Titinius to do?

1. What does Cassius offer to do for Pindarus if Pindarus will kill him?

1. What are the last words of Cassius?

1. When Cassius asks Pindarus to report what he sees, Pindarus states that Titinius has been captured. Why is this event an example of irony?

1. Titinius says that Cassius killed himself because he believed that Titinius had failed in his mission. How might Cassius' decision to commit suicide affect the final outcome of the plot?

1. What does Titinius do when Messala goes to inform Brutus of Cassius' death?

Scene 4:Another part of the battlefield.

During the battle, Young Cato is killed, and Lucilius is taken prisoner. Brought toAntony, Lucilius insists that Brutus will never be taken alive.

1. What happens to Cato?

1. Why would Lucilius want the enemy to think he is Brutus?

1. What happens to Lucilius?

1. What evidence of change do you see in Antony? How is hisconscience guiding him differently now?

Scene 5:Another part of the battlefield.

Facing defeat, Brutus’ forces rest. Brutus feels that all is lost. He asks three men to kill him, but each refuses. Finally, Strato agrees to hold the sword as Brutus kills himself on it. Antony, Octavius, and others arrive. Antony mourns Brutus, calling him the “noblest Roman.” Octavius promises him a noble funeral as the play end.

1. What does Brutus ask Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius to do?

1. Paraphrase these lines from Brutus:

“Our enemies have beat us to the pit.

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves

Than to tarry till they push us?”

1. How does Brutus die?

1. What were the last words of Brutus?

1. What does Octavius intend to do with Brutus’ men?

1. Paraphrase these lines from Antony.

“This was the noblest Roman of them all

All conspirators save only he

Did that they did in envy of great Caesar…

This was a man”

1. “Caesar, thou art revengedEven with the sword that killed thee” were the last words of ______.

1. When Antony said “Keep this man safe, /Give him all kindness.” He was talking about whom?

1. Brutus and Julius Caesar both have traits that are associated with tragic heroes. In your opinion, which character is really the tragic hero of the play? Explain your response.

1. According to the critic Maurice Charney, Julius Caesar is “deeply ambiguous. We grow increasingly certain after the middle of the play that the conspirators will lose, but we feel a strange balancing of values between the party of Brutus and the party of Caesar.” Do you agree that Shakespeare offers a balanced view of the conflict, or does he portray one side more favorably than the other? Support your opinion with evidence from the play.

Notes:HourHour__