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Power, betrayal, and conflict
- Act 4 of Julius Caesar explores themes of power, betrayal, and conflict. The main events include the formation of the Second Triumvirate by Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, and their decision to eliminate political enemies.
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A summary of Act IV: Scenes i–iii in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Julius Caesar and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
- Themes
Julius Caesar raises many questions about the force of fate...
- Themes
Rather than Caesar's passionate friend, he is now a cold and sly politician, willing to use others as he sees fit. Octavius, by the way, is paying attention—he will eventually betray Antony and take sole power in Rome, as shown in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Active Themes.
- Fate Versus Free Will
- Public Self Versus Private Self
- Misinterpretations and Misreadings
- Inflexibility Versus Compromise
- Rhetoric and Power
- Ethics Versus Politics
- Tyranny
- Honor
Julius Caesar raises many questions about the force of fate in life versus the capacity for free will. Cassius refuses to accept Caesar’s rising power and deems a belief in fate to be nothing more than a form of passivity or cowardice. He says to Brutus: “Men at sometime were masters of their fates. / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / ...
Much of the play’s tragedy stems from the characters’ neglect of private feelings and loyalties in favor of what they believe to be the public good. Similarly, characters confuse their private selves with their public selves, hardening and dehumanizing themselves or transforming themselves into ruthless political machines. Brutus rebuffs his wife, ...
Much of the play deals with the characters’ failures to interpret correctly the omens that they encounter. As Cicero says, “Men may construe things after their fashion, / Clean from the purpose of the things themselves” (I.iii.34–35). Thus, the night preceding Caesar’s appearance at the Senate is full of portents, but no one reads them accurately: ...
Both Brutus and Caesar are stubborn, rather inflexible people who ultimately suffer fatally for it. In the play’s aggressive political landscape, individuals succeed through adaptability, bargaining, and compromise. Brutus’s rigid though honorable ideals leave him open for manipulation by Cassius. He believes so thoroughly in the purpose of the ass...
Julius Caesar gives detailed consideration to the relationship between rhetoric and power. The ability to make things happen by words alone is the most powerful type of authority. Early in the play, it is established that Caesar has this type of absolute authority: “When Caesar says ‘Do this,’ it is performed,” says Antony, who attaches a similar w...
The tension in Julius Caesar comes from the question of whether Caesar’s position in power is ethically acceptable or not, and whether men of good conscience can allow a man like Caesar to hold such power over the Roman citizens. Caesar wins victories for Rome and becomes popular both with the common masses and the wealthy families. Politically, Ca...
Julius Caesarrevolves around the question of what constitutes a tyrant. Before Brutus can convince himself to kill Caesar, he must believe that Caesar is either a tyrant, or that he will inevitably become one. For Brutus, this question depends on whether Caesar wants power for himself or whether the senators and citizens are thrusting that power up...
In the Roman world of Julius Caesar, honor is a matter of selflessness, rationality, and pride. No character in the play more clearly embodies the virtue of honor than Brutus. Nearly every character recognizes Brutus’s reputation for honor. For instance, Cassius exploits this reputation when he recruits Brutus into the assassination conspiracy, hop...
Act 4 of Julius Caesar explores themes of power, betrayal, and conflict. The main events include the formation of the Second Triumvirate by Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, and their...
In the first act, Cassius writes anonymous letters to Brutus to convince him to joint he conspiracy, Artemidorus writes an ignored letter warning Caesar of the plot against him, and Cinna the poet is murdered. In this act, a poet again takes the stage, but Brutus orders him removed from his tent.
Jul 31, 2015 · Act 4, scene 1. Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius meet to condemn to death those who may oppose them. Sending Lepidus for Caesar’s will, Antony expresses contempt for Lepidus and plans with Octavius to raise an army to fight the troops of Brutus and Cassius. Enter Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. pricked.
Actually understand Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 1. Read every line of Shakespeare’s original text alongside a modern English translation.
