Julius Caesar — Act 4

In a nutshell: Act 4 shows the two sides preparing for war. Antony, Octavius and Lepidus form the ruling Triumvirate and coldly mark enemies for death. In the rebel camp, Brutus and Cassius bitterly quarrel, then reconcile; Brutus reveals Portia is dead. They decide to march to Philippi, and Caesar's Ghost appears to Brutus, foretelling they will meet again there.

1. Scene 1 — The Triumvirate (Rome)

• Antony, Octavius and Lepidus rule together as a Triumvirate. They draw up a proscription list — names of those to be executed (even Antony agrees to his own nephew's death).
• Antony belittles Lepidus as a mere "property" (a tool to be used and discarded), revealing his ruthlessness and ambition.

2. Scenes 2–3 — The Quarrel & Reconciliation (camp near Sardis)

• Brutus and Cassius quarrel ("the quarrel scene"): Brutus accuses Cassius of taking bribes / having an "itching palm"; Cassius is wounded and offers Brutus his dagger to kill him.
• They reconcile; Brutus then reveals that Portia has died (she swallowed fire/burning coals in grief and anxiety) — explaining his short temper.
• War council: Cassius advises waiting at Sardis; Brutus overrules him and insists on marching to Philippi ("There is a tide in the affairs of men…") — another of Brutus's misjudgements.
• At night, the Ghost of Caesar appears to Brutus, calling itself "thy evil spirit," and says: "thou shalt see me at Philippi."

3. Main Characters in this Act

4. Themes

• Power corrupts / ruthlessness — the Triumvirate's cold proscriptions.
• Strained friendship — the Brutus–Cassius quarrel and fragile reconciliation.
• Fate and the supernatural — the Ghost foreshadows defeat.
• Idealism vs practicality — Brutus's moral stands (no bribes) and military misjudgement.
• Grief and stoicism — Brutus bears Portia's death.

5. Key Quotations

• "He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold" — Antony on Lepidus.
• "Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm." — Brutus.
• "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." — Brutus.
• "Thy evil spirit, Brutus … thou shalt see me at Philippi." — Caesar's Ghost.

6. Exam Q&A (with crisp answers)

1. Who forms the Triumvirate? → Antony, Octavius and Lepidus.
2. What is a proscription list? → A list of people marked to be put to death.
3. How does Antony regard Lepidus? → As a mere tool ("property") to be used and discarded.
4. What is the cause of the Brutus–Cassius quarrel? → Brutus accuses Cassius of corruption (an "itching palm").
5. What sad news does Brutus reveal? → Portia, his wife, is dead.
6. How did Portia die? → By swallowing fire/burning coals, in grief and anxiety.
7. What do Brutus and Cassius disagree about militarily? → Whether to march to Philippi (Brutus) or wait (Cassius).
8. What does "There is a tide in the affairs of men" mean? → Seize the right moment for success.
9. Who appears to Brutus at night and what does it say? → Caesar's Ghost — "thou shalt see me at Philippi."
10. Why is Act 4 important? → It sets up the final battle and shows the conspiracy weakening from within.

7. Glossary