Explanatory Notes for Act 5, Scene 5
From Julius Caesar. Ed. Samuel Thurber. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
2. Statilius show'd the torch-light. Plutarch's account of this incident runs as follows: "There was one called Statilius, that promised to go through his enemies, for otherwise it was impossible to see their camp: and from thence, if all were well, that he would lift up a torch-light in the air, and then return again with speed to him. The torch-light was lifted up as he had promised, for Statilius went thither. Now Brutus seeing Statilius tarry long after that, and that he came not again, he said, 'If Statilius be alive, he will come again.' But his evil fortune was such that, as he came back, he lighted in his enemies' hands and was slain."
3. He came not back. We should say, "he has not come back." or ta'en or slain: either taken or slain. Where before have you noticed this or ... or construction?
5. Whispering. This stage direction is not found in the Folio edition of the plays, but was added by the early editors.
13. that noble vessel. The figurative use of the word vessel for a person, suggesting the fitness or capacity to contain something or other, was common in Shakespeare's time. Thus we find in the Bible: "he is a chosen vessel unto me"; "the vessel of wrath"; "giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel."
14. That it runs: so that it runs over. What is Brutus doing?
19. Philippi fields. "The Romans called the valley between both Camps, the Philippian Fields." (Plutarch, "Life of Brutus.")
23. have beat us to the pit: have beaten and driven us, as hunters drive animals, to the edge of the pitfall.
27. Even for that our love of old: for the sake of our old friendship. prithee. An old and abbreviated form of the expression pray thee. Who was it that earlier in the play said; "I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house"?
45. of a good respect: of good esteem; held in high regard. Similarly in I, 2, 59, Cassius said, "many of the best respect in Rome."
46. smatch: smack, taste.
50. Caesar, now be still. Brutus refers to Caesar's ghost, which, as we know, had been restless and walked the earth. Now that the murder has been avenged the spirit will "be still."
55. can but make a fire of him. This refers to the custom among the Romans of burning their dead on the funeral pyre.
60. I will entertain them: I will take them into my service.
61. bestow thy time with me: give up thy time to me; enter my service.
62. prefer: recommend. In the "Merchant of Venice" Bassanio says to Launcelot,
I know thee well; thou hast obtained thy suit:
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day.
And hath preferred thee.
69. save only he : except only him. The nominative case
after prepositions was common in all writers of Shakespeare's
71, 72. in a general honest thought, etc. Brutus, declares Antony, acted, as he honestly thought, for the good of all. This is one of those involved Shakespearean sentences the meaning of which, however, is perfectly clear.
73, 74. the elements so mixed in him, etc. According to a commonly accepted belief of Shakespeare's time, man was composed of the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Human perfection depended upon a well-balanced mixture of these four elements or "humours."
76. virtue: worth, character.
79. ordered honorably: treated with honor.
80. call the field to rest: sound the signal for the army in the
field to cease fighting.
81. part: divide, share.
How to cite the explanatory notes and scene questions:
Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Ed. Samuel Thurber. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1919. Shakespeare Online. 15 May. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/julius_5_5.html >.
Scene Questions for Review
1. What is the effect of the whispering and rapid conversation at the opening of this scene?
2. Why does Shakespeare have Brutus ask three of his companions to hold his sword before Strato consents to do the deed?
3. Comment upon Brutus' words:
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.
4. What effect have the one-syllable words of these two noble lines?
5. Contrast the deaths of Cassius and Brutus. Which seems to you to make the more pathetic scene?
6. Describe the setting of the stage as you would have it at the close of the play.
7. Discuss Antony's last speech in view of what you know of Brutus and the other conspirators.
8. Are you pleased with the conclusion of the tragedy? Would it have been better, in your judgment, to have Brutus
and Cassius live?
9. What decided the fate of the battle?
10. Do you think the play would be more appropriately entitled "Brutus"? Discuss fully.