2. La narrativa digital
2.2. Narrativa digital: Tres sentidos
Act V,
Scene 3
Cassius’ men begin to mutiny when defeat by Antony seems inevitable.
Cassius, seeing men storming his camps, sends Titinius to see if the men
are friend or foe. Pindarus, mistaking what he sees, tells Cassius that the
enemy has captured Titinius. Cassius, despondent over what he perceives
as the loss of Titinius and the loss of the war, commits suicide. Brutus
sees the body of Cassius and mourns the loss of his friend and prepares
for one last battle.
ACT V, SCENE 3 The battlefield.
[Alarum. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS.] Cassius O look, Titinius, look! The villains fly!
Myself have to mine own turned enemy. This ensign here of mine was turning back; I slew the coward and did take it from him.
Titinius O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, 5 Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil, Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. [Enter PINDARUS.]
Pindarus Fly further off, my lord! Fly further off! Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord.
Fly therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off! 10 Cassius This hill is far enough. Look, look,
Titinius!
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? Titinius They are, my lord.
Cassius Titinius, if thou lovest me, Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him 15 Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
And here again, that I may rest assured Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Titinius I will be here again even with a thought. [Exit.] Cassius Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill. 20
My sight was ever thick. Regard Titinius,
NOTES
1. villains: i.e., his own men. 2. to mine own: against my own (men). 3. ensign: standard-bearer.
4. it: i.e., the standard itself. 5. the word: i.e., the word to attack. 7. spoil: looting, pillage.
And tell me what thou not’st about the field. [PINDARUS goes up.]
This day I breathed first. Time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end.
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news? 25 Pindarus [Above.] O my lord!
Cassius What news?
Pindarus [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about With horsemen that make to him on the spur.
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 30 Now Titinius! Now some light. O, he lights too!
He’s ta’en. [Shout.] And hark! They shout for joy. Cassius Come down; behold no more.
O coward that I am to live so long
To see my best friend ta’en before my face! 35 [Enter PINDARUS from above.]
Come hither, sirrah.
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath. 40 Now be a freeman, and with this good sword,
That ran through Caesar’s bowels, search this bosom. Stand not to answer. Here, take thou the hilts; And when my face is covered, as ’tis now,
Guide thou the sword. [PINDARUS stabs him.] Caesar 45 thou art revenged
Even with the sword that killed thee. [Dies.]
Pindarus. So, I am free; yet would not so have been, Durst I have done my will. O Cassius!
Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
Where never Roman shall take note of him. [Exit.] 50 [Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA.]
Messala It is but change, Titinius for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus’ power, As Cassius’ legions are by Antony.
Titinius These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
S.D. goes up: Pindarus leaves the main stage and re-
appears on the balcony, or upper stage, which then represents “that hill.”
23. breathed first: his birthday. 25. compass: come full circle.
29. make . . . spur: i.e., gallop toward him, spurring their
horses.
31. light: dismount.
37. Parthia: now Northern Iran.
38. swore . . . life: i.e., I made you take an oath, as a
condition of letting you live.
42. search: probe, pierce. 43. Stand not: don’t delay.
Messala Where did you leave him? 55
Titinius All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. Messala Is not that he that lies upon the ground? Titinius He lies not like the living. O my heart! Messala Is not that he?
Titinius No, this was he Messala,
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 60 As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,
So in his red blood Cassius’ day is set! The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone;
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done! Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 65 Messala Mistrust of good success hath done this
deed.
O hateful Error, Melancholy’s child,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men The things that are not? O Error, soon conceived,
Thou never com’st unto a happy birth, 70 But kill’st the mother that engendered thee!
Titinius What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus?
Messala Seek him, Titinius whilst I go to meet The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears. I may say ‘thrusting’ it, 75 For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus As tidings of this sight.
Titinius Hie you, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the while. [Exit MESSALA.]
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? 80 Did I not meet thy friends, and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?
65. my success: the result of my mission.
67. Melancholy’s child: i.e., those that are melancholy
are mistaken in their judgment.
68. apt: ready to receive any impression.
71. mother: i.e., the melancholy person who con-
ceived the error.
Alas, thou has misconstrued everything!
But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow. 85 Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. By your leave, gods, This is a Roman’s part.
Come, Cassius’ sword, and find Titinius’ heart. 90 [Stabs himself and dies.]
[Alarum. Enter BRUTUS, MESSALA, YOUNG CATO, STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS.]
Brutus Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? Messala Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. Brutus Titinius face is upward.
Cato He is slain.
Brutus O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords 95 In our own proper entrails. [Low alarums.]
Cato Brave Titinius!
Look whe’r he have not crowned dead Cassius. Brutus Are yet two Romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome 100 Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. I shall find time, Cassius; I shall find time. Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body.
His funerals shall not be in our camps, 105 Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come;
And come, young Cato. Let us to the field. Labeo and Flavius set our battles on
’Tis three o’clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt.] 110
84. misconstrued: with the accent on the second sylla-
ble.
88. regarded: honored.
89. Titinius asks the gods to allow him to take his life before the time they have allotted him.
part: role.
96. own proper: very own. 97. whe’r: whether.
101. thy fellow: your equal.
moe: more.
104. Thasos: an island near Philippi where Plutarch says
that Cassius was buried.
106. discomfort us: dishearten our troops.
COMMENTARY
T
he last few moments of Cassius’ life are filled with both irony and a sense of nobility. Ironically, his own men are beginning to show signs of mutiny; Brutus has again given bad military advice, ordering the attack too early; and, instead of joining forces to help Cassius’ army defeat Antony, the honorable Brutus’ men have begun to loot and pillage the enemy’s camp. Cassius, faced with defeat and the continuing fatal mistakes of his friend Brutus, does not back down. Instead, he has rescued his battle flag and killed the coward who tried to abscond with it. Even though Antony is moving closer to Cassius’ position, he refuses to retreat any further, and he mourns over what he perceives as the capture of his “best friend.” Cassius’ final act before his death is to offer freedom to his slave, Pindarus.One of Cassius’ fatal flaws is revealed when he asks Pindarus to relate to him what is happening to Titinius. In an ironic twist, Cassius, who condemned Caesar because of his physical ailments, reveals that his “sight was ever thick.” Cassius’ shortsightedness has metaphorically and now literally wreaked havoc throughout the entire play. He has been unable to really see what the people of Rome wanted in a leader. He was blind to Brutus’ inability to lead the conspiracy, and his blindness will now result in his own death.
Cassius, overcome with melancholy, seems resigned to die, “this day I breathed first.” Unseeing or misreading the chain of events, he does not wait for confirmation of Titinius’ fate but rather asks Pindarus to assist him in suicide. Early in the play, Cicero noted that, “men may construe things after their own fash- ion” and now Titinius, almost echoing his words cries, “Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything.” It is poetic justice that Cassius is impaled with the very sword that he used to kill Caesar and, as he dies, Cassius calls out to Caesar, giving the impression that perhaps Brutus is not the only member of the conspiracy who has been haunted by the spirit of Caesar. Cassius’ death is an
unnecessary mistake, but only in dying can Cassius finally escape the bonds of Julius Caesar’s power.
Shakespeare again depicts the analogy between the individual and the universe in Titinius’ final homage to Cassius. The course of a man’s life is metaphorically connected to the course of the sun in a single day, with sunrise being birth and sunset being death. In this speech, the images of the red rays of the sun, with a pun on son, are symbolic of the red blood seeping from Cas- sius’ dying body. With Cassius’ death, night is come for Rome and the ideals of freedom and liberty that he held dear are thrown into darkness.
Julius Caesar Mary Evans Picture Library
Titinius is devastated by the death of his friend Cas- sius. Feeling responsible for Cassius’ death, Titinius feels that it was an act of courage to commit suicide rather than live shamefully as the man who caused the death of Cassius. Just like Antony who, proclaiming his love and loyalty to his slain friend, asked to die with the same sword and within the same hour as Caesar, Titinius chooses to take his own life with Cassius’ sword.
Finding the bodies of Cassius and Titinius, Brutus proclaims, “O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! / Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords / In our own proper entrails.” Just as Antony prophesied in Act III, Scene 1, “Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, / With Ate by his side” has “come hot from hell.”
Reclaiming his Stoic philosophy, Brutus covers up any pain he may actually feel at the loss of Cassius. He proclaims he will cry later and asks that the body not be placed in the camp, lest it upset the troops. Having quickly disposed of the issue of Cassius, Brutus, noting the time as “three o’clock,” calls the troops together for one last fight. Just moments before, Titinius had remarked on the setting sun and the red rays of the dying light, so, once again, Brutus has misjudged the time as he drags the remains of his beaten army into the final battle.
Act V,
Scene 4
Lucilius, pretending to be Brutus, is captured by Antony and his men.
Antony spares his life because of his loyalty to Brutus.
ACT V, SCENE 4 The battlefield.
[Alarum. Enter BRUTUS, MESSALA, YOUNG CATO, LUCILIUS, and FLAVIUS.]
Brutus Yet, countrymen, O yet hold up your heads! [Exit BRUTUS, MESSALA, and FLAVIUS.] Cato What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
will proclaim my name about the field. I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend. 5 I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
[Enter soldiers and fight.]
Lucilius And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus I! Brutus, my country’s friend! Know me for Brutus! [YOUNG CATO falls.]
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, 10 And may’st be honoured, being Cato’s son.
1st Soldier Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius Only I yield to die.
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight. Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death.
1st Soldier We must not. A noble prisoner! 15 [Enter ANTONY.]
2nd Soldier Room ho! Tell Antony Brutus is ta’en. 1st Soldier I’ll tell the news. Here comes the general.
Brutus is ta’en! Brutus is ta’en, my lord! Antony Where is he?
Lucilius Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough. 20
NOTES
2. What bastard: i.e., who is so low born that. . . .
4. Cato: see note at II.1.295.
S.D. The actors were accomplished fencers, and the
battles dramatically exciting. One of the few con- temporary references to the play recalls how the audience was “ravished” by the actors “on the Stage at halfe-sword parley.”
7. Plutarch says that Lucilius impersonated Brutus,
apparently in order to draw off the enemy.
12. Only . . . die: I surrender only that I may die. 13. so much: i.e.. Brutus’ power is such that he must
I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 25 Antony This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you,
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe; Give him all kindness. I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whe’r Brutus be alive or dead; 30 And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent
How every thing is chanced. [Exeunt.]
25. like himself: true to himself.
32. is chanced: has happened.
COMMENTARY
T
his scene should be played very quickly and with as much commotion as possible. It is the final battle to be fought before the war is brought to an end, and it should illustrate the Republican commitment to the cause but the futility of the attempt. The action also shows a marked difference between the frenetic activ- ity of Brutus’ men and the almost calm confidence of Antony and his soldiers.Despite the fact that Brutus’ decisions have been directly responsible for the downfall of the conspiracy and the death of many soldiers, Brutus’ men remain loyal to him and to the cause of the Republic. Just as Portia died trying to live up to the reputation of her
father, her younger brother, Marcus Cato, will also die attempting to uphold the family name on behalf of Bru- tus. In another tactic taken from medieval tradition, Lucilius, a decoy, pretends to be Brutus in an attempt to protect the actual Brutus from being captured in battle. Antony quickly recognizes that this man is not Brutus, but instead of taking Lucilius prisoner, he commands his soldiers to “keep this man safe.” Antony knows the fight is all but over and that the death toll needs rise no higher. Just as Caesar forgave many of the men who fought with Pompey, Antony seems ready to do the same.
Act V,
Scene 5
Brutus has lost the final battle. To avoid being taken prisoner, Brutus kills
himself and Caesar’s death is finally avenged. Antony delivers Brutus’
eulogy and in an effort to bring reconciliation to Rome, Octavius agrees to
pardon the remaining men in Brutus’ army.
ACT V, SCENE 5 The battlefield.
[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRAW, and VOLUMNIUS.]
Brutus Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Clitus Statilius showed the torchlight; but my lord, He came not back. He is or ta’en or slain.
Brutus Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word.
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. [Whispers.] 5 Clitus What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world!
Brutus Peace then. No words.
Clitus I’ll rather kill myself. Brutus Hark thee, Dardanius. [Whispers.]
Dardanius Shall I do such a deed? Clitus O Dardanius!
Dardanius O Clitus! 10
Clitus What ill request did Brutus make to thee? Dardanius To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. Clitus Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.
Brutus Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word. 15 Volumnius What says my lord?
Brutus Why this, Volumnius.
The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me Two several times by night — at Sardis once, And this last night here in Philippi fields.
I know my hour is come. 20
Volumnius Not so, my lord.
NOTES
1. poor remains: pitiful remains.
2. the torchlight: a detail taken from Plutarch, who
recounts how a scout penetrated Cassius’ camp, then occupied by Antony, and tried to signal to Brutus’ forces.
13. vessel: person, here imagined as filled with tears.
Brutus Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes. Our enemies have beat us to the pit.
[Low alarums.]
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 25 Thou know’st that we two went to school together.
Even for that our love of old, I prithee Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it. Volumnius That’s not an office for a friend, my
lord. [Alarums still.]
Clitus Fly, fly, my lord! There is no tarrying here. 30 Brutus Farewell to you; and you; and you,
Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep. Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me. 35 I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony By this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once; for Brutus’ tongue
Hath almost ended his life’s history. 40 Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but laboured to attain this hour.
[Alarum. Cry within ‘Fly, fly, fly!’] Clitus Fly, my lord, fly!
Brutus Hence! I will follow.
[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS.] I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.
Thou art a fellow of a good respect; 45 Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it.
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? Strato Give me your hand first. Fare you well,
my lord.
Brutus Farewell, good Strato. [Runs on his sword.] 50 Caesar, now be still.
23. to the pit: (1) a hole in which an animal is trapped,
(2) grave.
29. office: service.
S.D. still: continuing, increasing in intensity.
39. at once: all together.
42. That . . . hour: the line may mean (1) I have striven
only to attain this honorable death, or (2) I have experienced only pain in attaining my death.