Get notes, workbook solutions, summary, questions and answers, and pdf of the drama/play Julius Caesar (Act 5 Scene 4) by William Shakespeare, which is part of ICSE Class 10 English. However, the notes should only be treated as references, and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
This scene takes place during the Battle of Philippi, one of the major battles of the Roman Civil War following the assassination of Julius Caesar. The two opposing sides are led by Brutus and Cassius on the Republican side, and Antony and Octavius on the side supporting Caesar.
The scene opens amid the chaos of battle, with soldiers from both armies fighting fiercely. The famous Roman senator and philosopher Brutus tries to rally his countrymen, urging them to “hold up your heads!” However, Brutus soon exits, perhaps to lead the fighting elsewhere.
A young soldier named Cato, the son of the esteemed Marcus Cato, announces himself defiantly as “a foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend.” Clearly inspired by his father’s opposition to Caesar’s increasing powers, young Cato seems determined to fight the tyranny represented by Antony and Octavius.
Another soldier, Lucilius, also proclaims his identity as Brutus himself, shouting “I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I! Brutus, my country’s friend!” This creates some confusion on the battlefield.
Tragically, young Cato is soon killed in the fighting. Lucilius laments Cato’s brave death in service of the Republic. Moments later, Lucilius himself is captured by enemy soldiers who mistake him for the real Brutus.
When the victorious Antony arrives, Lucilius continues the deception, telling Antony that Brutus has escaped. Antony seems to respect Lucilius’ loyalty and defiance, calling him “a prize no less in worth” than capturing Brutus himself.
Antony decides to treat Lucilius with respect, saying “I had rather have / Such men my friends than enemies.” As a skilled politician, Antony recognizes the value of winning over honorable foes like Lucilius in the future governance of Rome.
Antony sends his soldiers to search for Brutus and to report back at the tent of Octavius. The scene ends with the Republicans defeated in this pivotal battle, but Brutus still unaccounted for, surviving to fight another day.
Video tutorial
Evergreen Workbook Solutions
Multiple Choice Questions I
1. The father of young Cato was
a. Marcus Brutus b. Marcus Cato c. Antony d. Julius Caesar
Answer: b. Marcus Cato
2. Lucilius yields to Antony’s army because
a. he wants to protect Brutus b. he wants to give Brutus a chance to escape c. he knows defeat is inevitable d. he is exhausted
Answer: b. he wants to give Brutus a chance to escape
3. Antony regards Lucilius to be a
a. traitor b. loyal soldier c. murderer d. coward
Answer: b. loyal soldier
4. Antony would like to have Lucilius as
a. a friend b. an enemy c. a prisoner d. a servant
Answer: a. a friend
5. At the end of the scene Antony will be waiting
a. in the tent of Octavius b. in the battlefield c. in the market place d. at the top of the hill
Answer: a. in the tent of Octavius
Context questions I
QUESTION 1: I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
A foe to tyrants, and to my country’s friend
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
1. Who is the speaker? Where is he?
Answer: The speaker is Cato. He is on the battlefield, proclaiming his identity and his opposition to tyranny, showcasing his allegiance to his country and his heritage.
2. Who does Lucilius compare the speaker to?
Answer: Lucilius compares Cato to Titinius, suggesting that Cato dies as bravely as Titinius, which honors him as Cato’s son.
3. What has Lucilius offered the soldiers? Why? What does it show about his loyalty towards Brutus?
Answer: Lucilius offers himself to the soldiers, claiming to be Brutus and asking for death, which demonstrates his loyalty to Brutus. This act is designed to protect Brutus, giving him a chance to escape, and shows Lucilius’s dedication and self-sacrifice for Brutus’s safety.
4. What are Antony’s feelings towards Lucilius? How is Antony portrayed as a good general and a statesman?
Answer: Antony admires Lucilius’s bravery and loyalty, viewing him as a valuable asset. Antony is portrayed as a good general and statesman through his recognition of Lucilius’s worth, his desire to have such loyal men as friends rather than enemies, and his strategic decision to keep Lucilius safe, recognizing the importance of loyalty and bravery in governance.
5. What instructions does Antony give to his soldiers at the end of the scene?
Answer: Antony instructs his soldiers to continue searching for Brutus to determine whether he is alive or dead and to report back to him in Octavius’s tent about how events have unfolded.
Morning Star Workbook Solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
1. Who refers to himself as “A for to tyrants” in this scene?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cato
(c) Lucilius
(d) Antony
Answer: (b) Cato
2. Young Cato died following which of the following ideals proclaimed by his father?
(a) Stoicism
(b) Republicianism
(c) Epicureanism
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Stoicism
3. Who among the following impersonates Brutus to give him (Brutus) time to flee?
(a) Cato
(b) Cassius
(c) Lucilius
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) Lucilius
4. Which theme of the play is reflected by Lucilius’ act of risking his life by pretending as Brutus?
(a) Deception
(b) Sin and Suffering
(c) Wrong Moral Choices
(d) Loyalty
Answer: (d) Loyalty
5. Luciliug say, “The god defend him from so great a shame.” What is the shame Lucilius is referring to?
(a) Being taken as a prisoner
(b) Being killed by the enemy
(c) Being defeated by the enemy
(d) Being defeated by the tyrants
Answer: (a) Being taken as a prisoner.
6. Whom does Antony describe as “a prize no less in worth”?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cassius
(c)Loot
(d) Cato
Answer: (c) Lucilius
Context Questions II
1.Lucilius
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,
And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son.
First Soldier
Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius
Only I yield to die:
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight,
[Offering money]
Kill Brutus, and be honourd in his death:
(i) Who is young Cato? What reference was made in the play earlier about his father?
Answer: Young Cato is the son of Marcus Cato, also known as Cato the Younger, who was a staunch defender of the Roman Republic and an opponent of Julius Caesar. Earlier in the play, Cato’s father is referenced as a symbol of resistance to tyranny. Marcus Cato was known for his moral integrity and committed suicide rather than submit to Caesar’s rule, which established him as a figure of republican virtue.
(ii) In what respect, the death of young Cato is similar to that of Titinius?
Answer: The death of young Cato is similar to that of Titinius in that both are seen as noble and honorable deaths in the context of their loyalty to their cause. Cato dies bravely in battle, just as Titinius did, demonstrating courage and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the republican cause. Their deaths are marked by a sense of honor, making them martyrs for the ideals they supported.
(iii) Why would the enemy soldiers not wish to kill Lucilius ? Why would Lucilius want to be killed? How does Lucilius escape death?
Answer: The enemy soldiers would not wish to kill Lucilius because they see him as a noble prisoner worth capturing alive, especially after he pretends to be Brutus. Lucilius might want to be killed to maintain his honor and possibly to protect Brutus by diverting attention to himself. Lucilius escapes death because Antony recognizes his nobility and worth, stating that he would rather have such a man as a friend than an enemy, and orders that Lucilius be treated kindly.
(iv) What is meant by “Only I yield to die: There is so much that then wilt kill me straghit”?
Answer: This line means that Lucilius is willing to surrender only on the condition that he is killed immediately. He is offering himself up to die rather than live dishonorably or be captured and used against his cause. By saying “There is so much,” he implies that his death is of great value, possibly suggesting that killing him would bring the soldier honor or reward.
(v) Who discovers that Lucilius was pretending to be Brutus? What does that person think of Lucilius?
Answer: Antony discovers that Lucilius was pretending to be Brutus. Antony thinks highly of Lucilius, admiring his loyalty and bravery. He recognizes Lucilius’s nobility and orders that he be treated well, expressing a preference to have such a man as a friend rather than an enemy. Antony’s respect for Lucilius shows his recognition of Lucilius’s honor and dedication to Brutus.
2.Lucilius
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
(i) In what sense is Brutus safe enough? How are the second and the third lines of the extract prophetic, i.e., indicative of what is going to take place?
Answer: Brutus is “safe enough” in the sense that he is beyond capture, implying that he would rather die than be taken alive by the enemy. The second and third lines are prophetic because they foreshadow Brutus’ impending death. Lucilius suggests that Brutus will not be captured alive, which indeed happens as Brutus later chooses to take his own life rather than face the dishonor of capture.
(ii) Who has just been killed when Lucilius is captured? Who has captured Lucilius? What have they done with him?
Answer: When Lucilius is captured, Cato has just been killed. Lucilius is captured by soldiers loyal to Antony. Instead of killing Lucilius, they capture him as a noble prisoner and bring him to Antony, who spares his life and orders that he be treated kindly.
(iii) “The gods defend him from so great a shame!” What was considered shameful according to the Roman custom?
Answer: According to Roman custom, it was considered shameful for a nobleman, especially a leader like Brutus, to be captured alive by the enemy. The preferred course of action for a Roman of high status would be to die by suicide rather than face the disgrace of being paraded as a prisoner.
(iv) What is happening on the battlefield? Who is emerging victorious?
Answer: On the battlefield, the forces of Brutus are being defeated. The scene indicates that Antony’s forces are emerging victorious, as Brutus’ allies are either killed or captured, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire for Brutus and his followers.
(v) There seems to be two objectives in Lucilius’ impersonating Brutus. What do you think are these objectives?
Answer: Lucilius’ impersonation of Brutus serves two main objectives: first, to protect the real Brutus by diverting the enemy’s attention away from him, and second, to demonstrate loyalty and bravery by risking his own life in the process, thereby buying time for Brutus to escape or prepare for his next move.
Extras
Multiple Choice Questions III
1. What does Lucilius do to protect Brutus in Act 5, Scene 4?
A. Fights off the soldiers
B. Runs away from the battlefield
C. Proclaims himself to be Brutus
D. Surrenders to Antony
Answer: C. Proclaims himself to be Brutus
3. What is Cato’s final act before being killed in Act 5, Scene 4?
A. He calls for reinforcements
B. He proclaims his identity and loyalty to Rome
C. He challenges Brutus to a duel
D. He pleads for mercy
Answer: B. He proclaims his identity and loyalty to Rome
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
Get notes of other boards, classes, and subjects