Julius Caesar Act 5

This scene is set at the battlefield in Philippi.

• True

• False

Who is there?

• Brutus and Cassius

• Antony and Octavius

"Why do you cross me in this exigent?" (Antony)

How does Octavius reply to this line?

• "Lead the battle softly on."

• "I do not cross you, but I will do so."

Answer explanation

There is tenstion between Antony and Octavius, mirroring the tension seen between Cassius and Brutus in Act Four. This line is an omen that Octavius will ultimately betray Antony.

"Antony, /The posture of your blows is yet unknown; /But for your words, they rob the Hybla ___,/And leave them honeyless." (Cassius)

• eggs

• bees

• buzz

• bird

Answer explanation

Brutus and Cassius mock Antony, telling him that he is an untested solider, all 'buzz' and no sting.

"Villians, you did not so when your vile daggers/Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar./You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds,/And bowed like bondmen." (Antony) What techniques are demonstrated in these lines?"

• Animal imagery

• Similes

• alliteration

• emotive language

"Now Brutus, thank yourself./This tongue had not offended so today/If Cassius might have ruled." (Cassius) What does Cassius mean?

• You should have listened to me

• I want to be ruler

• Thank you Brutus

• You have offended Caesar

Answer explanation

Brutus has made a fatal mistake in moving his army to Philippi against Cassius' advice. Tensions still exist between them.

" A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour,/Joined with a masker and a reveller!" (Cassius)

Who is Cassius insulting here?

• Brutus

• Octavius

• Antony

• Lucillius

Answer explanation

Cassius is calling Octavius an arrogant schoolboy and Antony was known for is extravagant parties.

"The storm is up, and all is on the hazard." (Cassius) What does he mean?

• He is saying that the outcome of the battle is uncertain

• There is a storm coming

• It is hazardous to go out in a storm

"Now I change my ____,/And partly credit things that do presage." (Cassius)

• clothes

• mind

• brain

• watch

Answer explanation

Cassius has never believed in omens as he is an Epicurean, but has now changed his mind. He believes that it is possible to predict the future.

"Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched,

Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands,

Who to Phillipi here consorted us.

This morning they are fled away and are gone,

And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites/

Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us,

As we were sickly prey." (Cassius) What does Cassius think this means?

• It is an omen of victory

• It is an omen of death