he usually is, if he lets ordinary misfortunes upset him. Brutus tells Cassius
that Portia has killed herself. Lucius brings a bowl of wine. Brutus says not to
mention Portia anymore, and they pledge friendships to one another. Cassius is
clearly upset by Portia’s death. Titinius and Messala enter to bring news.
Antony and Octavius are bringing their armies to Phillipi. They have killed 70
(according to Brutus) or 100 (according to Messala) senators including Cicero.
Messala asks if Brutus has heard from Portia and then regretfully reports that
she is dead. Brutus says too bad; we all must die sometime. Cassius and Messala
comment about how well Brutus is handling Portia’s death. Returning to business,
Brutus suggests they meet the enemy at Phillipi. Cassius prefers waiting. Each
presents his arguments, and they agree to go to Phillipi. It’s time for bed.
Cassius, Titinius and Messala leave. Varro and Claudius come to be by Brutus
while he sleeps, in case he needs something. Lucius plays some music for Brutus.
Caesar’s ghost enters. Brutus is scared and asks what it is. The ghost says it
is Brutus’ evil spirit, and will meet him again at Phillipi. Brutus says: OK,
I’ll see you then. Brutus wakes his servants and asks them if they saw anything.
They say no. Brutus tells Varro and Claudius to go tell Cassius to get his
troops on the move. Act V, Scene I Summary Octavius is happy to see that Brutus
and Cassius’s army is coming to meet them. Antony suggests that Octavius lead
the left flank. Octavius suggests the opposite. Antony is upset that Octavius
contradicts him. Octavius says he isn’t contradicting him, but he will have his
way. Brutus and Cassius enter and exchange taunts with Octavius and Antony.
Octavius and Antony depart to prepare for battle. Brutus leaves to talk with
Lucius. Cassius tells Messala that it is his birthday, and even though he
usually doesn’t credit omens, the day before he saw two eagles eating from his
soldiers’ hands. Today there are ravens instead. Messala tells him to credit the
omen. Brutus and Cassius say their final good-byes. Act V, Scene ii Summary
Brutus perceives a weakness in Octavius’s army, and sends order to Cassius. Act
V, Scene iii Summary Antony has done very well against Cassius. Cassius send
Titinius to see how Brutus’s side is doing. Pindarus watches Titinius from a
hill; he sees him surrounded, taken off his horse, and hears a shout. Cassius
and his servant Pindarus assume that Brutus has lost. Cassius gives Pindarus his
freedom. Pindarus helps Cassius kill himself. Pindarus runs off. Titinius and
Messala come to tell Cassius the good news that Brutus has defeated Octavius.
They discover Cassius dead. Messala goes to report the bad news to Brutus. While
Messala is gone, Titinius crows Cassius’ corpse and kills himself. Brutus, Cato,
and Messala discover the two bodies. Brutus says that Caesar’s ghost still walks
and caused this confusion. Next, Brutus stoically says that he will find time to
mourn his two good friends, but now he will engage in second battle. Act V,
Scene iv Summary Brutus leaves for another part of the battlefield. Brutus’s
friends Cato and Lucilius charge the enemy. Lucilius shouts that he is Brutus.
Cato is killed, Lucilius taken prisoner. Antony’s soldiers present Lucilius to
Antony thinking he is Brutus. Antony realizes that Lucilius isn’t Brutus, and
tells his men to be very nice to Lucilius. Antony tells his men to report to
Octavius that the battle is going well. Act V, Scene v Summary Brutus is trying
to convince various members of his army to help him kill himself. No one agrees
saying that they might still win, and that it isn’t a nice thing to ask a
friend. Everyone runs because Antony and Octavius are coming. After saying his
good-byes to life, Brutus gets one of his servants Strato to hold his sword
while he runs into it. Antony and Octavius enter with Lucilius and Messala
captive. Octavius says any of Brutus’ servants can serve him now. With Messala’s
permission Strato become Octavius servant. Antony gives a nice, and famous,
speech about how noble Brutus was (V.v.68-76). Octavius ends the play by saying
that because Brutus had a good reputation if they give him an expensive funeral
it will make them look good. THE END List of Characters For Julius Caesar Julius
Caesar – The titular character is a loving husband, a devoted statesman, and a
trusting friend. Childless and deaf in one ear, at home he is a feeble and
superstitious, but kind man. At work he is strong, powerful, and stubborn. He
lets power go to his head and suffers for it. Brutus – Brutus is "the
noblest Roman of them all" (V.v.68). A devoted stoic, he always puts the
good of the state first. Also a good husband and an accomplished orator, Brutus
is a bit too trusting, and learns his lesson the hard way. Some consider Brutus
to be the play’s protagonist. Mark Antony – Always man number two, Mark Antony
is great to have as a friend and bad to have as an enemy. Perhaps not as bright
or honest as Brutus, he may be the most passionate character of the play.
Cassius – A sly and cynical manipulator, Cassius betrays Caesar for personal
motivations. Although he has "a lean and hungry look" (I.ii.194) in
the end he too is shown to be a human being worth empathy. Octavius – Octavius
is the soulless strong man who puts everything right in the end. Caesar may have
been ambitious, but at least he had a family, and a softer side. Octavius is a
terse and single minded power seeker, just the sort of thing necessary to get
things back in order after a civil war. Casca – A not very bright, and often
mercurial conspirator. Portia – Brutus’s wife. Calpurnia – Caesar’s wife.
Lucilius – A servant of Brutus Cinna, Ligarius, Trebonius, Decius Brutus,
Metellus Cimber – Other conspirators.