Michael Neale
Chris Tully
Anthony Duval
Act 4 + 5 Questions
17. In his argument with Cassius in Act IV scene 3, Brutus refers to Caesar in terms of both praise and censure. Find the speech and decide whether
a. the praise is consistent with earlier references to Caesar�s qualities and
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab,
And not for justice?
- Brutus says they stabbed Caesar for justice.
b. whether the criticism is so major that Brutus should have mentioned it earlier.
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
- Brutus now calls stabbing Caesar contaminating their fingers with bribes.
10. The quarrel scene (Act IV Scene 2) has been belittled by the critic Thomas Rymer in the seventeenth century; praised by John Dryden, his contemporary, for its �masculinity� in the eighteenth century; admired as an example of dramatic genius in the nineteenth century (by Samuel Taylor Coleridge); and dismissed as irrelevant by twentieth century critic Henry Bradley. Read it carefully and decide for yourself
a. Whether Brutus is (i) unrealistic in expecting his allies always to act honorably or (ii) admirable in his inflexible attitude toward corruption.
Brutus is unrealistic in expecting his allies always to act honorably because he is the only person that acts honorably. He made the same mistake in trusting everyone.
b. Whether Brutus is (i) arrogant and insensitive towards Cassius at the beginning of the quarrel or (ii) properly firm and uncompromising.
Brutus is properly firm and uncompromising because he stands his ground and says that he would never do a brother wrong.
c. Whether Brutus is (i) taunts Cassius or (ii) refuses to be browbeaten by him (Explain your answer)
Brutus refuses to be browbeaten by Cassius because he wants to appear strong to his army and to Cassius�s army.
d. Whether Brutus is (i) insultingly cold or (ii) admirable forthright
Brutus is admirable forthright because he wants Cassius to talk to him about his complaints instead of arguing so he is not being insulting.
e. Whether Brutus is (i) sober form ��hides wrongs� or (ii) whether he is �armed so strong in honesty� that he cannot compromise.
Brutus is armed too strong in honesty so he cannot compromise. He wouldn�t �hide wrongs� because he is too honorable and noble.
Form an opinion of your own about the character of Brutus as it is revealed in the quarrel with Cassius from its beginning to its height.
10. The quarrel scene (Act IV Scene 3) shows Cassius in many moods.
a. choleric: what are the reasons for his anger, and are they justified?
Cassius is angered because Brutus ignored his letter concerning Lucius Pella taking bribes from the Sardians.
b. tormented: how does Brutus provoke him , and what does Cassius�s restraint reveal about his personality?
Brutus provokes him by saying he did not do anything wrong, and that Cassius is the one doing wrong. Brutus says that they should not contaminate their hands with dishonorable bribes after killing Caesar. Cassius�s restraint shows that he can get angry at any moment and has a temper.
c. passionate: does the passion throw a new light on his character?
Yes, the passion shows a new side of Cassius because he has always been sneaky and dangerous. He is now being passionate to Brutus.
d. affectionate: how does this show and is it surprising?
Brutus and Cassius become affectionate after Cassius threatens to kill himself. It shows when Brutus admits he was in a bad mood when he called Cassius a joke. It also shows when Cassius says, �Give me your hand,� and Brutus replies with, �And my heart too.� This is surprising because they were arguing one moment before, and the next they were forgiving each other.
e. jocular: which episode brings out a flash of humor, and what is its purpose?
The poet interrupting brings out a flash of humor because he does not rhyme. Its purpose was to show that Brutus and Cassius were getting along and that they had something in common: they both make fun of the poet.
f. sympathetically emotional: would you have expected him to react to Portia�s death in the way he does? How does it compare with Brutus�s own response?
Cassius did not seem too moved or disturbed by the fact that Portia had died. He continued to talk about Portia even when Brutus did not want to talk about her anymore.
g. dependent: what evidence is there to show that in his relationship with Brutus, there is another side to Cassius than the one presented before the assassination?
Cassius has two personalities because the one before the assassination was serious, sneaky, and dangerous. He would also not speak and only observe. With Brutus, Cassius opens up and becomes a more regular person. He would get angry, and show more emotions around Brutus.