Julius Caesar Act 5 Analysis

Act 5 begins with Octavius and Antony saying that their hopes have come true because the men are fleeing the hills and coming to them. This says that Brutus is not truly in his right mind for strategy and is blinded by wanting be honorable after killing Caesar. Cassius then tells Brutus “Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;/This tongue had not offended so today/If Cassius might have ruled.” (see lines 45-47), meaning that if had acted as Cassius suggested, then they would not be headed towards battle and may have lived. Also, Cassius reveals that he has seen ravens, crows, and kites flying over them, like vultures waiting for meat after the prey has been killed. After Cassius confession, Brutus says that should they lose the battle, he
Clitus said he would not kill Brutus or help him kill himself. Next, Brutus asks Volumnius to kill him. He says that he knows his time has come and does not want to surrender to Antony’ army. Volumnius also tells Caesar he will not do it. Finally, Brutus asks Strato, another one of his men, to hold a sword that Brutus can run into to kill himself. Strato’s only request is that he says goodbye to Brutus properly because he respects and loves Brutus, as a commander, and wants to be say goodbye properly. After Brutus dies, Octavius and Antony enter the scene. Octavius treats the conspirators with respect, which creates a trust and immediate peace between the people. In the play’s final lines, Antony and Octavius honor Brutus through their final orations through complimenting his character. Antony goes as far as calling Brutus “the noblest Roman of them all”. They promise Brutus full funeral rites and thus the play closes. Antony and Octavius final speeches reveal a personal revelation that has occurred among them that Brutus was fighting to preserve Rome. They acknowledge this change of heart through praising Brutus and giving him full burial rites, something they would not have done they still considered him a