Julius Caesar

Act V Scene III

Extract I
Cassius:O look, Titinius, look, the villains fly!
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy;
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
I slew the coward, and did take it from him

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who was the coward? Why did Cassius slay the coward?
Answer: This scene takes place on a battlefield near Philippi. The "coward" Cassius refers to is
his own ensign (standard-bearer), who was attempting to retreat. Cassius slew him because the
ensign was turning back in fear, and Cassius took the standard from him to prevent the retreat.

(ii) What did Titinius say about the error committed by Brutus? What were the immediate
consequences of the error?
Answer. Titinius mentioned that Brutus gave the command to attack too early. As a result,
Brutus's soldiers began looting, and Antony's forces were able to surround Cassius's troops.
This tactical mistake contributed to Cassius's belief that they were losing the battle.

(iii) On what errand does Cassius now send Titinius? What does Cassius tell Pindarus to do for
him?
Answer: Cassius sends Titinius on horseback to find out whether the approaching troops are
friends or enemies. He instructs Pindarus to climb a hill and observe Titinius's progress to report
back what he sees.

Extract II
CASSIUS:Go Pindarus, get higher on that hill
My sights was ever thick, regard Titinius
And tell me what thou not' st about the field.
PINDARUS-(Above) O my Lord!
CASSIUS-What news?

(i) What does Cassius ask Pindarus to do? Who is Pindarus?

Answer: Cassius instructs Pindarus to ascend a hill to gain a better view of the battlefield and
report back on what he observes, specifically regarding Titinius' situation among distant troops.
Pindarus is a bondman or slave of Cassius, who had been saved by Cassius from death in
Parthia and is thus deeply obligated to him.

(ii) After the exit of Pindarus, what does Cassius say about himself?
Answer: After Pindarus departs, Cassius reflects on the significance of the day, noting it as both
the beginning and the potential end of his life. He acknowledges that the cycle of his life has
come full circle: "This day I breathed first-time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall
I end. My life is run his compass."

(iii) What news has Pindarus already brought? What is Cassius' reaction on hearing the news?
Answer: Before his final task, Pindarus reports that Titinius is surrounded by horsemen who
seem to be attacking him, which leads Cassius to mistakenly believe that Titinius has been
captured or is in grave danger. Cassius reacts with despair and determination, concluding that
it's better to die than to witness the capture or loss of his close friend: "O coward that I am, to
live so long, To see my best friend ta'en before my face!" This despair leads him to decide on
suicide as the course of action.

(iv) Why is the day significant to Cassius apart from being his 'birthday' the day he was born?
Answer. The day is significant to Cassius not only because it is his birthday but also because he
sees it as a full circle of his life, from its start to its end. He believes that the day he was born is
now the day he will die, marking a complete cycle of his existence.

(v) What had Cassius earlier advised Brutus in the play to prove that this tragedy could be
prevented? Cassius disagreed with Cassius?
Answer: Cassius had advised Brutus on several strategic matters throughout the play,
emphasizing caution and the need to act on opportune moments. One significant piece of
advice was his disagreement with Brutus over the strategy to engage Antony and Octavius'
forces. Cassius had preferred more cautious approaches at times, including the debate over
whether to march to Philippi or wait for the enemy to come to them. The tragedy unfolds partly
because of strategic errors and misjudgements, including Brutus' overeagerness and mistaken
beliefs about the battlefield situation.

Extract III
Cassius: Come hither.In Parthia did I take thee prisoner
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;

(i) What had Pindarus been looking at? What did he report on what he thought he saw?
Answer: Pindarus had been looking at Titinius as he was sent to check whether the approaching
troops were friends or enemies. He reported to Cassius that he saw Titinius being surrounded
by horsemen who then appeared to capture him. Pindarus mistakenly believed that Titinius had
been taken prisoner by the enemy.

(ii) What is meant by "I swore thee"? What had Pindarus promised to do? What is he asked to do
now?

Answer: "I swore thee" means that Cassius had made Pindarus swear an oath to follow any
command he gave, in exchange for sparing his life when he was captured in Parthia. Pindarus
had promised to obey Cassius in all things. Now, Cassius asks Pindarus to fulfill that oath by
killing him with the same sword that had killed Caesar.

(iii) Narrate what has happened a few minutes earlier which makes Cassius desperate. Was
Cassius noble in taking the final decision about himself? Give a reason to justify your answer.

Answer: A few minutes earlier, Cassius sent Titinius to identify the troops on the battlefield. He
then sent Pindarus to observe Titinius's progress from a higher vantage point. Pindarus
mistakenly reported that Titinius was captured by the enemy, leading Cassius to believe that all
was lost. This, combined with the belief that the battle had been lost, drove Cassius to
desperation. In his despair, he chose to0 die by his own hand rather than face defeat. While his
decision was driven by a sense of honour and desire to avoid the shame of capture, it was also
based on a misunderstanding, suggesting that his action, though noble in intent, was tragically
misguided.

(iv) What makes it di icult for Pindarus to keep his oath now?
Answer: Pindarus finds it di icult to keep his oath because it involves killing Cassius, the man
who spared his life and whom he serves. Despite being bound by his oath, Pindarus is reluctant
to carry out the act, as he expresses regret and distress after completing the task.

(v) What is the evil influence which drives Cassius towards self-destruction Should one believe
in such influences? Why?

Answer: The evil influence driving Cassius towards self-destruction is his overwhelming despair
and misinterpretation of the events around him, particularly the mistaken belief that Titinius has
been captured and that the battle is lost. This leads to a fatalistic attitude and a sense of
inevitability about his doom. Whether one should believe in such influences depends on one's
perspective; some might argue that such despair can cloud judgement and lead to poor
decisions, while others might believe that external forces or fate play a role in such outcomes.
However, it is generally considered wise to base decisions on rational thought rather than
succumbing to despair or fatalistic thinking.

Extract IV
Titinius:What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus?
Messala: Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears: I may say, thrusting it,
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
As tidings of this sight.

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who are Titinius and Messala? Why have they come to the
scene?
Answer: This scene takes place on a battlefield near Philippi. Titinius is a friend and o icer
serving under Cassius, and Messala is another o icer and a loyal follower of Brutus. They have
come to the scene to report the outcome of the battle to Cassius and Brutus

(ii) Where has Pindarus gone? What has made him go away?
Answer: Pindarus has fled the scene after killing Cassius as per Cassius's orders. He leaves
because, having fulfilled his master's command, he is now free and seeks to escape to avoid
Roman retribution for his actions.

(iii) What report is Messala going to give to Brutus? Why would the report be like "thrusting
something into Brutus' ear?
Answer: Messala is going to report to Brutus that Cassius has died, believing mistakenly that
Titinius was captured. The report would be like "thrusting something into Brutus' ear" because
the news of Cassius's death will be as painful and shocking as being pierced by a weapon.
(iv) Titinius recollects that Brutus has sent a wreath of victory to be given to Cassius. What
victory is referred to? What does Titinius do with the wreath? How did Cassius misinterpret the
signs of victory?
Answer: The victory referred to is the successful battle by Brutus's forces against Octavius's
troops. Titinius places the wreath on the dead Cassius's brow as a sign of honor and respect.
Cassius misinterpreted the signs of victory, believing that Titinius had been captured by the
enemy, leading him to order Pindarus to kill him.

(v) State briefly how Titinius pays his respects to Cassius, his dead friend.
Answer: Titinius pays his respects to Cassius by placing the wreath of victory on Cassius's
brow, lamenting the misunderstanding that led to Cassius's death. He then takes Cassius's
sword and kills himself with it, choosing to die alongside his friend.

Extract V
Titinius: Alas, thou hast miscounstru'd every thing!
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I Will
do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.

(i) Where is Titinius at this moment? Whom is he talking to? Why?

Answer. Titinius is on the battlefield, near the body of Cassius. He is speaking to the deceased
Cassius. Titinius speaks to express his grief and remorse over Cassius's death, which occurred
due to a tragic misunderstanding. Titinius blames himself for not returning sooner and for the
misinterpretation that led to Cassius's suicide.

(ii) Explain the meaning of "misconstrued." What are the things that had been misconstrued?
For what reason?
Answer: The word "misconstrued" means misunderstood or interpreted incorrectly. In this
context, Cassius misconstrued the situation on the battlefield, believing that Titinius had been
captured by the enemy. This misunderstanding led Cassius to believe that they had lost the
battle, prompting him to take his own life. In reality, Titinius had not been captured; instead, he
was being welcomed by friendly troops. Cassius's misjudgment of the situation led to
unnecessary tragedy.

(iii) What was the "garland" a sign of? Why did Brutus send it?
Answer: The "garland" was a sign of victory. Brutus sent it to Cassius as a symbol of success in
battle, to reassure him that they were still in a strong position despite the chaotic events on the
battlefield. It was meant to celebrate their victory over Octavius's forces, but unfortunately,
Cassius did not live to receive this token in the intended spirit.

(iv) Explain the meaning of "regarded." How did Titinius now show his regard? What did Brutus
say about Titinius and Cassius when he arrived?
Answer: The word "regarded" in this context means "paid respect to" or "honored." Titinius
showed his regard for Cassius by placing the garland, which was meant as a symbol of victory,
on Cassius's brow as a final gesture of respect. Upon Brutus's arrival, he mourned the deaths of
both Titinius and Cassius, lamenting that Caesar's spirit still had the power to turn their own
swords against themselves. Brutus honored them by acknowledging their greatness, referring to
them as the last of the true Romans, and expressing his deep sense of loss.

(v) This scene shows the beginning of the end for the conspirators. What reason does Brutus
give for what he saw? Explain how his reason is proved to be true in his own case later

Answer: Brutus interprets the tragic deaths of Cassius and Titinius as a sign that Julius Caesar's
influence continues to haunt them, even from beyond the grave. He believes that Caesar's spirit
is causing them to turn their swords on themselves. This foreshadows Brutus's own fate, as he
too will later take his own life, driven by the despair and realization that their cause is doomed,
further fulfilling the notion that Caesar's death marked the beginning of their own downfall.

Extract VI
Brutus: Are yet two Romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome Should breed thy fellow

(i) Where is Brutus? About whom is he speaking?

Answer: Brutus is on the battlefield, observing the aftermath of a failed battle. He is speaking
about Cassius and Titinius, who have both died.

(ii) To whom does he refer to as "The last of all the Romans" Why?
Answer: Brutus refers to Cassius as "The last of all the Romans" because he believes that
Cassius represented the final true Roman, embodying the values and spirit of Rome. Brutus
expresses his sorrow and respect for Cassius, acknowledging that there will never be another
Roman like him.

(iii) Give a brief but clear account of the events which immediately precede this speech and give
rise to it.
Answer: Before this speech, Cassius, mistakenly thinking that his friend Titinius has been
captured and that the battle is lost, asks his servant Pindarus to kill him with the same sword
that killed Caesar. After Cassius' death, Titinius, realizing that Cassius misunderstood the
situation and that they had actually won the battle, kills himself with Cassius' sword. Brutus
arrives on the scene to find both Cassius and Titinius dead, which leads him to lament the loss
of Cassius, calling him the last of the true Romans.

(iv) This event combined with another factor caused the death of Brutus a little later. Explain
briefly.
Answer: The deaths of Cassius and Titinius deeply a ect Brutus, contributing to his sense of
despair and inevitability of defeat. Combined with the mounting pressure from the opposing
forces led by Antony and Octavius, these events lead Brutus to ultimately take his own life later
in the play, as he sees no hope for their cause.

(v) What instructions does Brutus now give his friends?

Answer: Brutus instructs his friends to send Cassius' body to Thasos for burial, as he does not
want the sight of Cassius' dead body to dishearten his troops. He then prepares his remaining
forces for another battle against their enemies, determined to continue the fight despite the
heavy losses.