Foundation first: four facts to carry into Act V
- Brutus overruled Cassius and chose to march to Philippi: the tide speech.
- The Ghost told Brutus, "thou shalt see me at Philippi." Brutus said, "Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then."
- Portia is dead. Brutus hides his grief behind Stoic calm.
- Brutus and Cassius made up. They said their goodnights as brothers: "Good night, good brother."
The triumvirs (Antony, Octavius and Lepidus) condemned their enemies in Rome. Near Sardis, Brutus and Cassius quarrelled over Lucius Pella, the "itching palm" and the gold Brutus needed for his legions, then made up. Brutus revealed that Portia had died by swallowing fire. News came that Octavius and Antony were marching to Philippi. Against Cassius's advice, Brutus decided to march to meet them: "There is a tide in the affairs of men." That night the Ghost of Caesar told Brutus, "thou shalt see me at Philippi."
Worked examples
Example 1 (short answer, 3 marks). Why did Brutus decide to march to Philippi? Why did Cassius disagree?
Model answer. Brutus argued that the people between Sardis and Philippi supported them only by force and would join the enemy, that their own army was full and ready, and that "there is a tide in the affairs of men" which must be taken "at the flood". Cassius preferred to stay where they were, because the enemy would waste his supplies and tire his soldiers in marching, while Brutus and Cassius rested. Cassius gave way.
Why this scores: Brutus's reasons (2) and Cassius's plan with its reason (1).
Example 2 (MCQ, 1 mark). What did the Ghost say to Brutus at Sardis? (a) "Beware the ides of March" (b) "Thou shalt see me at Philippi" (c) "Et tu, Brute?" (d) "Thy end is near"
Model answer. (b). Options (a) and (c) belong to Act I and Act III. Option (d) is not in the text.
Why this scores: the exact phrase is worth learning, because it is used again in Act V.
Example 3 (short answer, 2 marks). What does Brutus's saying "Good night, good brother" show about the quarrel?
Model answer. It shows that the quarrel is over and the friendship is restored. Even after the harsh words, Brutus and Cassius part with affection.
Why this scores: one mark for the state of the friendship, one for the evidence.
Doubts cleared
Q. Why was Brutus so sure about marching to Philippi? He believed the moment was right: his army was at its height and the enemy was growing. He thought delay would only help the enemy.
Q. Is the Ghost real? Brutus first thinks it is "the weakness of mine eyes". The play leaves it open. In Act V Brutus himself says the ghost has come "two several times", so he believes in it.
Mistakes to avoid
- Saying Cassius wanted to march to Philippi. That was Brutus.
- Forgetting that the Ghost came twice: once at Sardis (on stage) and again at Philippi (Brutus tells Volumnius about it in the last scene).
Check yourself
- Who advised staying at Sardis?
- What did the Ghost promise?
- Who is dead before the act begins?
Answers: 1. Cassius. 2. That Brutus will see it at Philippi. 3. Portia.