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Act 4
Act 4 scene 1
Antony and Octavius plan their revenge.
This scene contrasts with the previous one in that the result of Antony’s victory over Brutus at the funeral is shown as political – the deliberate, cold-bloodied drawing up of a list of conspirators who must die. According to Plutarch the list ran to 300 names.
Antony’s opening line is flat and unemotional in contrast to the grisly subject. Octavius and Lepidus then try to bargain for the lives of various relatives. Antony also reveals that he has no intention of honouring the bequests in Caesar’s will.
Although Brutus is not present in this scene we feel his presence – Brutus wanted to save Rome from the tyranny of Caesar in an unselfish manner and yet his actions have placed Rome under a dictatorship of the triumvirate of Antony, Octavius and Lepidus. The audience is left in no doubt about how they will rule Rome – with brutality, blood and ruthlessness.
The triumvirate is based on ambition and power – Octavius and Antony are wary of each other and Antony dismisses Lepidus as ‘property’ and a scapegoat to be blamed for anything inconvenient to them. This shows the type of men they are – willing to do anything and sacrifice anyone for their own ends.
Act 4 scene 2
There is tension...
