Foundation first: how a battle is shown on stage
On Shakespeare's stage a battle cannot be shown in full. Instead, the scenes are short and jump from one part of the field to another. A trumpet call ("alarum") tells the audience that fighting is near. "Bills" are written orders carried by a messenger. The audience must keep track of two armies, two wings, and two generals: Brutus against Octavius on one wing; Cassius against Antony on the other.
Brutus sends Messala with written orders ("bills") to the legions on the other wing: "Let them set on at once; for I perceive / But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing, / And sudden push gives them the overthrow." He sees weakness in Octavius's side and attacks at once.
Reading between the lines
- Why so short? The scene is only a few lines, but it carries the cause of Cassius's death. By ordering an attack too early, Brutus creates the gap in which Antony surrounds Cassius.
- "Cold demeanour in Octavius' wing." Brutus reads the enemy as weak because Octavius's soldiers show little spirit. The reading is correct on his wing: Brutus wins there. But his men then stop to plunder, and the other side collapses.
- "Ride, ride, Messala." The repeated word gives speed. We feel the rush of a general who thinks he is winning. The irony is that this success causes the disaster.
Worked examples
Example 1 (MCQ, 1 mark). Brutus sends Messala with written orders for the legions to ______. (a) retreat to the hills (b) set on at once (c) surrender (d) rest for the night
Model answer. (b) set on at once. "Let them set on at once; for I perceive / But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing."
Why this scores: the line is almost word for word in the option.
Example 2 (short answer, 3 marks). Why does Brutus order an immediate attack? What is the result?
Model answer. Brutus sees that Octavius's wing is weak and slow ("cold demeanour") and believes that a "sudden push" will defeat it. He is right: Octavius is overthrown. But his soldiers rush to plunder and leave Cassius's wing exposed, so Antony surrounds Cassius's army.
Why this scores: reason (1), first result (1), the bad consequence (1).
Example 3 (4 marks). Brutus wins on his side of the field. Why does this lead to disaster?
Model answer. The victory is too quick. Titinius says, "Brutus gave the word too early". Brutus's men fall to spoil (plundering) instead of helping Cassius. Antony takes advantage and enters Cassius's tents, which are soon on fire. Cassius, seeing the fire, loses hope. His despair makes him believe the false report about Titinius and kill himself. Brutus's early attack is therefore one cause of Cassius's death.
Why this scores: a chain of cause and effect, each step linked, about 4 points.
Doubts cleared
Q. Did Brutus lose the battle on his own wing? No. He beat Octavius. The disaster came on the other side, because his men turned to plunder.
Q. What does "alarum" mean? A trumpet or drum signal calling soldiers to arms. It is a stage direction and not a spoken word.
Mistakes to avoid
- Saying Brutus lost Scene 2. He won there.
- Forgetting that the early attack is called a mistake in the later scene.
Check yourself
- Whom does Brutus send with the written orders?
- Whose wing does Brutus think is weak?
- What do Brutus's soldiers do after the first success?
Answers: 1. Messala. 2. Octavius's. 3. They plunder ("fell to spoil").