That you have wrong’d me doth appear in this:
You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians;
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
The evidence of your wronging me is clear in this: you've condemned and publicly shamed Lucius Pella for accepting bribes from the Sardians. In that matter, my letters supporting his side—because I knew the man personally—were dismissed.
Look, you clearly wronged me on this one. You publicly called out Lucius Pella for taking bribes from the Sardians, and you completely ignored my letters trying to back him up just because I knew him.
you threw me out ignored my letters backing lucius after condemning him for bribes
You wrong’d yourself to write in such a case.
You wronged yourself by writing such a letter in this situation.
You actually hurt yourself by writing a letter like that when things are the way they are.
you did that to yourself writing that letter was a mistake
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offence should bear his comment.
In a time like this, it's not proper that every small offense should be publicly criticized.
In times like these, you can't call out every minor mistake. That's just not how it works.
can't go after every little thing especially now
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn’d to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned for having an itching palm—for selling and trading your positions of power for gold to people who don't deserve them.
Listen, Cassius—you're famous for taking bribes. Everyone knows you sell your offices to undeserving people for money.
you're known for selling positions for gold to unworthy people
I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
Me, an itching palm? You know it's you, Brutus, who are speaking this, or by the gods, this speech would be your last.
Me taking bribes? You know it's coming from you, Brutus, or so help me, this would be the last thing you ever say to me.
me? only you could say that without getting killed for it
The name of Cassius honours this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
The name of Cassius honors this corruption, and punishment therefore hides its head in shame.
Your reputation actually shields this corruption, so the punishment goes nowhere.
your name protects the corruption so nothing happens to it
Chastisement!
Chastisement!
Chastisement!
chastisement
Remember March, the Ides of March remember:
Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?
What villain touch’d his body, that did stab,
And not for justice? What! Shall one of us,
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers, shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
For so much trash as may be grasped thus?
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,
Than such a Roman.
Remember March, the Ides of March—remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice's sake? What villain touched his body with a knife, and it wasn't for justice? Why should one of us—who struck down the foremost man in the entire world but for the reason of stopping robbers—why should we now stain our fingers with base bribes, and sell the great honor and power we possess for so much rubbish as can be grasped in one hand? I would rather be a dog and howl at the moon than such a Roman.
Think about March—the Ides of March. Wasn't Julius Caesar killed supposedly for justice? What villain stabbed him if not for justice? So why should we—who took down the most powerful man in the world just to stop corruption—why would we now take bribes and throw away our honor for a handful of trash? Honestly, I'd rather be a dog howling at the moon than live like that.
remember when we killed caesar for justice now we're doing what he did i'd rather be a dog howling
Brutus, bait not me,
I’ll not endure it. You forget yourself,
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
Brutus, don't provoke me. I won't endure it. You forget yourself to box me in. I am a soldier—older in experience, more skilled than you at making military decisions.
Brutus, back off and quit pushing me. I mean it. You're overstepping, trying to back me into a corner. I'm a soldier, and I've got more experience than you do.
don't push me brutus i'm a soldier with more experience stop it
Go to; you are not, Cassius.
That's false.
I disagree with that.
nope
I am.
I am.
I'm.
i am
I say you are not.
I'm telling you clearly that's incorrect.
You're wrong.
wrong
Urge me no more, I shall forget myself;
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther.
Stop pushing me, or I'll lose control of myself. Think of your own safety—don't provoke me further.
Stop it, or I'm going to lose my temper. Seriously, for your own sake, stop now.
back off or i lose it i'm warning you
Away, slight man!
Away, slight man!
Away, slight man!
away, slight man
Is’t possible?
Is that actually possible?
Are you seriously dismissing me like that?
wait what no way
Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
Listen to me, for I will speak. Must I give way and make room for your angry outbursts? Should I be frightened when an angry person stares at me?
Let me talk. Do I really have to just step aside every time you get angry? Am I supposed to be scared of an angry look?
let me speak i'm not backing down from your anger
O ye gods, ye gods! Must I endure all this?
O you gods, you gods! Must I endure all this?
My gods, gods! Am I really supposed to take all of this?
gods help me i can't take this
All this? ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,
I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
Yes, all this and more: rage until your proud heart breaks. Go show your slaves how angry you are, and make your servants shake. Must I move out of your way? Must I watch you constantly? Must I stand and bow down under your irritable moods? By the gods, you'll have to swallow the poison of your own anger, though it tears you apart inside; from this day on, I'll find you amusing, yes, even laugh at you when you're acting like a wasp.
Yes, all this and more—get angry until you burst. Go yell at your slaves about it if you need to. Do I really have to move for you? Do I have to watch you all the time? Should I just stand here and bow down every time you're in a bad mood? I swear, you're going to have to deal with your own anger, and it's going to hurt. From now on, honestly, I'm just going to find you funny when you throw these tantrums.
rage away go yell at your slaves i'm done bowing to your moods i'll just laugh at you from now on
Is it come to this?
Has it come to this?
Is it really at this point?
it's really come to this?
You say you are a better soldier:
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,
And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
You say you're a better soldier: prove it. Make your boasting true, and that would please me well. For my part, I'll be glad to learn from noble men.
You claim you're a better soldier. Prove it then. Back up your boasting, and I'll be happy about that. I'm always willing to learn from the best.
prove you're better i'm willing to learn from the best
You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus.
I said, an elder soldier, not a better:
Did I say better?
You misrepresent me in every way, Brutus. I claimed to be a more experienced soldier, not superior in courage or skill. Where do you get this from?
You're twisting everything I say. I never claimed to be better than you, just more seasoned. Stop putting words in my mouth.
i said experienced not better stop making stuff up
If you did, I care not.
If you did, I don't care.
Even if you did, it doesn't matter to me.
doesn't matter either way
When Caesar liv’d, he durst not thus have mov’d me.
When Caesar was alive, he would never have dared to upset me like this.
When Caesar was alive, there's no way he would have pushed me around like this.
caesar never would've done this to me
Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
Quiet, quiet! You wouldn't have dared to provoke him so either.
Hey now, quiet. You wouldn't have dared to push Caesar around like that either.
you wouldn't push caesar either so shut up
I durst not?
I wouldn't have dared to provoke him?
I didn't have the nerve? Come on, you know that's not true.
i had no guts? please
No.
No.
No.
no
What? durst not tempt him?
What? Wouldn't have dared to provoke him?
What? I wouldn't have dared provoke him?
wouldn't dare provoke him?
For your life you durst not.
For your life you wouldn't have.
Not for anything—you wouldn't have risked it.
not on your life
Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
Don't assume too much based on my affection for you. I might do something I'd regret.
Don't push what you think is our friendship. I'm about to do something I'll be sorry for.
don't test our friendship i might do something bad
You have done that you should be sorry for.
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am arm’d so strong in honesty,
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;
For I can raise no money by vile means:
By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answer’d Caius Cassius so?
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,
To lock such rascal counters from his friends,
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,
Dash him to pieces!
You've already done what you should feel sorry for. There's no terror in your threats, Cassius—none—because I'm so armored in honesty that threats pass by me like the wind, and I pay no attention to them. I sent to you for certain sums of gold, which you refused me. I can't get money through dishonorable means: I swear, I'd rather coin my own heart and spill my blood for coins than squeeze money out of poor farmers through dirty tricks. I sent to you for gold to pay my soldiers, which you denied me. Is that how a Cassius should act? Should I have answered Caius Cassius that way if the positions were reversed? When Marcus Brutus begins to hoard cheap money from his friends, let the gods strike him down and smash him to pieces!
You've already done worse. Your threats don't scare me at all, Cassius—not even a little—because I've got honesty as my armor. Your words just blow past me like air. I asked you for gold to pay my soldiers, and you said no. Look, I can't get money through dirty dealings. I'd rather rip out my heart and bleed coins than squeeze money from poor people. I needed gold for my army and you refused me. That's not what Cassius should do. Would I have treated you that way? If I ever became someone who refused his friend money and then hoarded it, let the gods obliterate me.
your threats mean nothing i'm too honest i asked for gold you said no i can't take bribes if i ever become that person may gods strike me down
I denied you not.
I actually agreed to your request.
I would never have turned you down.
never said no
You did.
You did.
You did.
you did
I did not. He was but a fool
That brought my answer back. Brutus hath riv’d my heart.
A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities;
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
I didn't. The messenger who brought my answer back was just a fool. Brutus, you've broken my heart. A true friend should tolerate his friend's weaknesses, but Brutus makes mine seem larger than they actually are.
I didn't refuse you—that messenger was an idiot. Brutus, you've really hurt me here. A friend is supposed to put up with his friend's flaws, but you're making mine out to be way worse than they actually are.
i didn't that messenger was dumb you broke my heart a friend should accept flaws not magnify them
This scene contains one of Shakespeare's most technically strange choices: Brutus tells Cassius about Portia's death (chunk 071), and then appears to receive the news fresh from Messala (chunks 094-103). Scholars have debated this for centuries. One theory: Shakespeare wrote two versions and forgot to cut one. Another: Brutus's performance for Messala is intentional — a Stoic exercise in receiving bad news with the appearance of equanimity. The second reading is far more interesting, and most modern productions play it that way. Watch Cassius's face during the Messala scene: he has to sit there while his friend pretends to learn for the first time what they already cried over together. The silence around Cassius in that moment is one of Shakespeare's finest bits of stagecraft — a scene playing out between the lines.
I do not, till you practise them on me.
I don't tolerate them until you practice them on me.
I don't see them as flaws until you use them against me.
not till you use them on me
You love me not.
You clearly feel no affection for me.
You don't actually care about me.
you don't care
I do not like your faults.
It's your failings that trouble me.
It's your behavior I have a problem with.
your behavior bothers me
A friendly eye could never see such faults.
A true friend could never see such faults.
A real friend wouldn't even notice these things.
a real friend wouldn't see these faults
A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
A flatterer wouldn't either, though they appear as huge as Mount Olympus.
A flatterer wouldn't notice them either, even though they're as obvious as a mountain.
a flatterer wouldn't notice even though they're huge
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is a-weary of the world:
Hated by one he loves; brav’d by his brother;
Check’d like a bondman; all his faults observ’d,
Set in a note-book, learn’d and conn’d by rote,
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold:
If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth.
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike as thou didst at Caesar; for I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come. Take revenge on Cassius alone, for Cassius is tired of life. Hated by the one he loves; disrespected by his brother; treated like a slave; all his faults observed, written down, memorized and recited to throw back in his face. Oh, I could weep my soul right out of my eyes! Here is my dagger, and here is my naked chest; inside it is a heart more precious than Plutus' gold mines, richer than all gold. If you are truly a Roman, take it. I, who refused you gold, will give you my heart. Strike me as you struck Caesar. Because I know—when you most hated Caesar, you loved him better than you ever loved Cassius.
Come on, Antony and Octavius, come and kill me. Get your revenge on Cassius—I'm sick of living anyway. The person I love hates me. My friend treats me like trash. They notice every single thing I do wrong, write it all down, memorize it, and throw it back at me. I feel like my heart's going to come out of my eyes. Here's my knife, here's my chest. Inside is a heart worth more than all the money in the world. If you're really Roman, take it. I who said no to your gold—I'm giving you my heart now. Stab me like you stabbed Caesar. Because honestly? Even when you hated Caesar most, you loved him more than you love me.
come kill me i'm done living i'm hated by who i love take my heart even when you hated caesar you loved him more than me
Sheathe your dagger.
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,
And straight is cold again.
Put your dagger away. Be angry whenever you want—I'll accept it. Do whatever you like, and I'll just treat it as a joke. Oh Cassius, you're partnered with a lamb that carries anger like flint carries fire. When provoked hard, it shows a quick spark, and then it's cold again immediately.
Put that knife away. You can get angry whenever you want—I'll just go along with it. Do whatever, I'll just laugh it off. Cassius, you're with a lamb here. I'm like flint—when you hit me hard enough I spark up, but then I go cold just as fast.
put the knife away be angry all you want i'll just laugh i'm like flint: quick spark then cold
Hath Cassius liv’d
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief and blood ill-temper’d vexeth him?
So has Cassius lived only to be the butt of jokes and laughter for his Brutus, when sorrow and anger make Brutus upset?
So I've lived just to be the punchline for you when you're in a bad mood? That's what this is?
is that all i am your joke when you're angry?
When I spoke that, I was ill-temper’d too.
At that moment, I was also in a foul mood.
Look, I wasn't in a good place when I said that either.
i was mad too
Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
Do you admit that much? Give me your hand.
You'll admit to that? Give me your hand.
you admit it? give me your hand
And my heart too.
I'm giving you my heart alongside it.
You've got my whole heart too.
whole heart
O Brutus!
O Brutus!
O Brutus!
o brutus
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
what’s the matter
Have not you love enough to bear with me,
When that rash humour which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful?
Don't you have enough affection for me to put up with me when this rash temperament that my mother gave me makes me forgetful?
Can't you love me enough to deal with me when this hothead nature my mother gave me takes over and makes me forget myself?
can't you deal with my temper my mom gave it to me
Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth,
When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,
He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.
Yes, Cassius. And from this point on, when you get too intense with your Brutus, he'll think your mother is scolding you and leave you alone.
Yes, I do. And you know what? From now on, when you get too intense, I'm just going to think your mom is telling you off and leave it at that.
yes from now on i'll think your mom is scolding you
[_Within._] Let me go in to see the generals,
There is some grudge between ’em; ’tis not meet
They be alone.
Let me go in to see the generals, there is some grudge between them; it's not right that they are alone.
I need to see the generals. They're mad at each other and shouldn't be alone together.
let me see em. they're fighting. shouldn't be alone.
[_Within._] You shall not come to them.
I won't let you go in to see them.
You're not getting past me.
nope ur not going in.
[_Within._] Nothing but death shall stay me.
Nothing but death will stop me.
Nothing's going to keep me from going in.
nothing stops me but death.
How now! What’s the matter?
How now! What's going on?
What's happening? What's wrong?
what's going on?
For shame, you generals! What do you mean?
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;
For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.
Shame on you both, you generals! What do you mean? Love each other, and be friends, the way two men like you should. I have lived more years than you have, I'm sure.
For shame, generals! What's this about? Act like friends, like you should. I've been around longer than you two, trust me.
shame on you generals act like friends i'm older than both of you
Ha, ha! How vilely doth this cynic rhyme!
Ha, ha! How badly this cynic rhymes!
Ha! How poorly this skeptic rhymes!
lol how bad this cynic rhymes
Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy fellow, hence!
Get out of here, fellow. Rude fool, get out!
Get out of here. You're rude—go!
get out rude guy
Bear with him, Brutus; ’tis his fashion.
Let him go, Brutus. It's just his manner.
Leave him alone, Brutus. That's just how he is.
that's just how he is
I’ll know his humour when he knows his time.
What should the wars do with these jigging fools?
Companion, hence!
I'll understand his temperament when he understands the time for it. What business do wars have with these silly fools who make bad jokes? Get out of here, friend!
I'll tolerate his attitude when he learns when it's appropriate. What do wars need with these clowns making stupid jokes? Get out!
wars don't need joking clowns get out
Away, away, be gone!
Leave this place immediately, get out!
Go, go, leave us alone!
out of here
Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.
Lucilius and Titinius, tell the military commanders to prepare to house their troops here tonight.
Lucilius and Titinius, tell the commanders to get the men settled in for the night.
commanders prep lodging for troops tonight
And come yourselves and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us.
And come back yourselves and bring Messala with you right now to meet with us.
And you two come back right now with Messala so we can talk.
come back with messala now
Lucius, a bowl of wine.
Lucius, bring me a bowl of wine.
Lucius, get me some wine.
get me wine
I did not think you could have been so angry.
I didn't think you could get so angry.
I didn't realize you could get that angry.
didn't know you'd get that mad
O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.
Oh Cassius, I'm suffering from many griefs.
Cassius, I'm dealing with a lot of pain right now.
i'm dealing with a lot
Brutus's tide speech is one of the most frequently quoted passages in Shakespeare — and it is wrong. Cassius's military judgment was sound: let the enemy extend their supply lines, keep your troops rested, fight on ground of your choosing. Brutus's counter-argument is political: the locals between here and Philippi can't be trusted, they might defect to the enemy. But in persuasive terms, the tide metaphor sweeps everything before it. Shakespeare gives the better poetry to the worse strategist, and the audience who knows the history knows the cost. This is the second time in the play Brutus's eloquence has overridden Cassius's judgment — the first was allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Both decisions are fatal. The tide Brutus identifies as the moment to seize is actually the moment that drowns him.
Of your philosophy you make no use,
If you give place to accidental evils.
You're not practicing the philosophy you preach if you give in to random disasters.
You're supposed to be a philosopher, but you're falling apart at every bad thing that happens.
you're supposed to be tough not falling apart
No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.
No one bears sorrow better than I do. Portia is dead.
I handle grief as well as anyone. Portia is dead.
i handle grief fine portia's dead
Ha? Portia?
Ha? Portia?
Ha? Portia?
ha
She is dead.
She is dead.
She is dead.
she is dead
How ’scap’d I killing, when I cross’d you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
How did I escape death when I opposed you like that? O unbearable and moving loss! What sickness took her?
How am I still alive when I provoked you so badly? O heartbreaking and terrible loss! What illness killed her?
how did i survive when i opposed u so much thats unbearable what sickness got her
Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong; for with her death
That tidings came. With this she fell distract,
And, her attendants absent, swallow’d fire.
She was anxious because I was away, and she was grieving that young Octavius and Mark Antony have become so powerful. This news came with her grief. It made her lose her mind, and with her attendants gone, she swallowed fire.
She was worried with me gone, and upset that Octavius and Antony are getting so strong. That news destroyed her. She went crazy and—with no one around—she swallowed fire.
she was worried i was gone upset about octavius and antony lost her mind swallowed fire
And died so?
And died so?
And died so?
and died so
Even so.
Even so.
Even so.
even so
O ye immortal gods!
Oh you immortal gods!
Oh gods in heaven!
oh god
Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.
Don't speak of her anymore. Give me a bowl of wine. With this wine, I bury all my unkindness toward you, Cassius.
Don't mention her again. Give me wine. I'm using this to put aside all the harsh things I said to you.
stop talking about her give me wine burying all hard feelings
My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup.
I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.
My heart thirsts for this honorable pledge. Fill it up, Lucius, until the wine overflows the cup. I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love.
I'm hungry for this sign of friendship. Fill it up, Lucius—all the way. I can't have too much of Brutus' friendship.
fill it up i can't get enough of this friendship
Come in, Titinius!
Welcome, good Messala.
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities.
Come in, Titinius! Welcome, good Messala. Now let's sit close around this candle here and go over what we need to do.
Come in, Titinius! Good to see you, Messala. Let's sit together around this light and talk through what needs to happen.
sit close let's discuss what we need
Portia, art thou gone?
Portia, have you truly left me?
She's really gone then?
she really left?
No more, I pray you.
Messala, I have here received letters,
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
No more, I ask you. Messala, I've received letters saying that young Octavius and Mark Antony are coming down on us with a mighty force, directing their quick march toward Philippi.
Please, no more about that. Messala, I got letters saying Octavius and Antony are coming at us hard, heading straight for Philippi.
octavius and antony coming mighty force heading to philippi
Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.
I have letters with the same message.
I got the same news.
same news in mine
With what addition?
With what addition?
With what addition?
with what addition
That by proscription and bills of outlawry
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred Senators.
The message is that through execution and sentences of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus have sentenced to death a hundred Senators.
The news is that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus have condemned and killed a hundred Senators.
they killed 100 senators
Therein our letters do not well agree.
Mine speak of seventy Senators that died
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.
Our letters don't agree on this. Mine report seventy Senators died by their sentences, with Cicero being one of them.
Our information doesn't match. I have seventy Senators killed, including Cicero.
i have 70 dead including cicero
Cicero one!
Cicero one!
Cicero one!
cicero one
Cicero is dead,
And by that order of proscription.
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Cicero is dead, and because of that sentence of outlawry. Did you get letters from your wife, my lord?
Cicero is dead because of their death sentence. Did your wife write to you about this?
cicero's dead from their death sentence your wife write?
No, Messala.
No, Messala.
No, Messala.
no, messala
Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?
Nothing in your letters mentioned her?
Nothing about her in your letters?
nothing about her?
Nothing, Messala.
Nothing, Messala.
Nothing, Messala.
nothing, messala
That, methinks, is strange.
That seems strange to me.
That strikes me as odd.
that's strange
Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?
Why are you asking? Have you heard something about her in yours?
Why do you ask? Did your letters say something about her?
why ask did your letters mention her
No, my lord.
No, my lord.
No, my lord.
no, my lord
Now as you are a Roman, tell me true.
Now as you are a Roman, tell me the truth.
Now swear as a Roman and tell me the truth.
as a roman tell me true
Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell,
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
Then like a Roman, accept the truth I'm telling you: she is certainly dead, and in a strange way.
Then accept it like a Roman would: she's definitely dead, and it happened in a strange way.
she's dead in a strange way
Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
With meditating that she must die once,
I have the patience to endure it now.
Well, goodbye, Portia. We must die, Messala. Since I've thought about the fact that she had to die eventually, I have the patience to endure it now.
Well, goodbye, Portia. We all have to die, Messala. I've known for a while that she would die eventually, so I can handle this now.
goodbye portia we all die i can handle it
The Ghost identifies itself not as Caesar demanding revenge but as 'thy evil spirit, Brutus' — an extraordinary claim. This opens three readings. First, the supernatural: Caesar's spirit has returned to announce that Brutus's doom is coming. Second, the psychological: in the exhausted, grief-stricken state of a man who has buried his wife and quarreled with his best friend and decided to march to a battle he may lose, a rational man might hallucinate. Third, the theatrical: Shakespeare is playing with the Elizabethan convention of revenge-ghost plays (Hamlet's father would come four years later), but deliberately making his ghost ambiguous. Shakespeare is careful never to confirm which reading is true. What's notable is Brutus's response — he is neither terrified nor hysterical. He asks the ghost its name, he asks why it has come, and when it says 'Philippi,' he says, simply, 'I will see thee there.' There is something almost peaceful in this acceptance, as if meeting the ghost is a relief after the grief of the day.
Even so great men great losses should endure.
Great men should bear great losses the same way.
Great men need to handle great losses with that same strength.
great men bear great losses
I have as much of this in art as you,
But yet my nature could not bear it so.
I have as much understanding of this philosophy as you do, but my nature couldn't bear it the way you do.
I know the philosophy as well as you do, but I'm just not made the same way to handle it.
i get the philosophy but i can't handle it like you
Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
Well, let's focus on our living work. What do you think about marching to Philippi right now?
Anyway, let's get down to business. What do you think—should we march to Philippi now?
should we march to philippi now?
I do not think it good.
I don't think it's a good idea.
I don't think so.
no
Your reason?
Your reason?
Your reason?
your reason
This it is:
’Tis better that the enemy seek us;
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness.
Here's why: it's better to let the enemy come to us. That way he'll waste his resources and tire out his soldiers, hurting himself, while we, staying put, keep our rest, our defensive position, and our ability to move quickly.
Because it's better if they come to us. That way they wear themselves out, waste money and men, and we stay fresh and ready. We're in a better position if we don't move.
let them come to us they waste men and money we stay rested and ready
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection;
For they have grudg’d us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encourag’d;
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
Good reasons must give way to better ones. The people between Philippi and here only support us reluctantly—they've complained about being taxed. As the enemy marches past them, they'll join forces with him, arriving refreshed, newly reinforced, and encouraged. But if we face him at Philippi, we cut him off from their support, with these people behind us.
But sometimes you have to change your strategy for a better one. The people in this region don't really support us—they complained about the taxes. If the enemy marches past them, they'll join him and he'll have more troops and resources. But if we meet him at Philippi, we block him off from that support.
people between here and philippi will join the enemy if we wait they'll have more troops meet him at philippi keeps them from joining
Hear me, good brother.
Listen closely, my ally and trusted friend.
Let me say something.
hear me out
Under your pardon. You must note besides,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
Let me finish. You should also note that we've tested all our resources—our army is completely full, our cause is ready. The enemy grows stronger every day; we at our peak are starting to decline. There is a turning point in the affairs of men which, seized at the flood, leads to fortune. Missed, all the voyage of their lives is bound in shallow waters and in misery. We're now floating on such a full sea, and we must catch the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.
Wait, let me finish. Think about this too: we've used everything we have—we're at full strength, we're ready. But the enemy gets stronger every day and we're starting to get weaker. There's a moment in life when you have to act. Catch it when it comes and you win big. Miss it and you spend the rest of your life struggling. That's where we are now. We've got to move while we can or we lose everything.
we're at peak strength enemy gets stronger daily this is our moment miss it and we lose everything
Then, with your will, go on:
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
So if you wish, let's proceed: We'll travel together and meet them at Philippi.
Alright, if you're ready, let's move forward: We'll head out and meet them at Philippi.
ok lets go meet them at philippi
The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?
The night has grown deep while we've talked, And our bodies must bow to necessity— we'll be stingy with our rest. Is there anything else to say?
It's gotten really late in our conversation, and we need to listen to what our bodies need— we'll grab just a little sleep. Anything else we need to talk about?
its super late and we need sleep anything else?
No more. Good night:
Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.
Nothing more. Good night: We'll wake early tomorrow and leave.
That's it. Good night: We'll get up early and head out.
nope goodnight up early tomorrow lets go
Lucius! My gown.
Lucius! My gown.
Lucius! My gown.
lucius
Farewell now, good Messala.
Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night, and good repose.
Goodbye now, good Messala. Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, Good night, and good sleep.
Okay Messala, good night. See you later, Titinius. You're a good man, Cassius—both of you—now get some rest.
bye messala night titinius night cassius get some sleep
O my dear brother!
This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls!
Let it not, Brutus.
My dear brother! This was a terrible start to the evening. May such a rift between our souls never come! Don't let it happen, Brutus.
My brother! We got off to a really bad start tonight. I don't want anything to come between us like that! Don't let that happen, Brutus.
brother we just had a rough moment please dont let us split like that
Everything is well.
Everything is well.
Everything is well.
everything is well
Good night, my lord.
Sleep well, my lord.
Sleep well.
goodnight
Good night, good brother.
TITINIUS and MESSALA.
Good night, Lord Brutus.
Good night, my good brother. Good night, Lord Brutus.
Sleep well, brother. Sleep well, everyone.
goodnight guys
Farewell, everyone.
Farewell, everyone.
Farewell, everyone.
farewell, everyone
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Give me the robe. Where is your instrument?
Hand me my robe. Where's your lute at?
give me my robe where's ur instrument
Here in the tent.
I'm positioned here in the tent.
I'm right here in the tent.
im in the tent
What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o’er-watch’d.
Call Claudius and some other of my men;
I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
What, are you speaking sleepily? Poor boy, I don't blame you—you're exhausted from watching. Call Claudius and some of my other men; I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
You sound sleepy! Hey, don't worry, it's not your fault—you've been up too long. Get Claudius and some of the other guys; I want them to sleep on cushions in my tent.
youre so tired lol get claudius & the others they can sleep on cushions here
Varro and Claudius!
Varro and Claudius!
Varro and Claudius!
varro and claudius
Calls my lord?
Calls my lord?
Calls my lord?
calls my lord
I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;
It may be I shall raise you by-and-by
On business to my brother Cassius.
Please, sirs, lie down and sleep in my tent; I may wake you shortly for a matter concerning my brother Cassius.
Please, lie down and get some sleep in my tent; I might need to wake you up soon for something about Cassius.
sleep in the tent i might wake u soon about cassius stuff
So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.
If you wish, we will stand and await your commands.
Whatever you want—we'll keep watch and wait for your orders.
well stand guard & wait for u
I will not have it so; lie down, good sirs,
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so;
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
I won't have that; lie down, good sirs, I may change my mind about this. Look, Lucius, here's the book I was looking for; I put it in my robe's pocket.
No, I don't want that; lie down, I might change my mind anyway. Hey Lucius, I found the book I was looking for; I had it in my robe pocket all along.
no just sleep might change my mind anyway lucius look i found the book in my robe
I was sure your lordship did not give it me.
I was certain you hadn't given it to me.
I was pretty sure you didn't give it to me.
i thought u didnt give it to me
The Brutus-Cassius quarrel is considered one of the finest scenes in Shakespeare because it rings completely true. These two men have been through a conspiracy, a murder, exile, defeat, and now are running out of time — and they fight about money and wounded pride. Cassius needs to be seen; Brutus needs to be right. Cassius accuses first; Brutus escalates. The accusations are real on both sides: Cassius probably does let friends buy their way out of trouble; Brutus probably did override Cassius's judgment in damaging ways. Neither is entirely right. The reconciliation arrives not through argument but through exhaustion and a single line: 'O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.' The quarrel ends not when one side wins, but when the mask slips. Shakespeare understood that intimate friendship is the only relationship where you can say the most terrible things and then drink wine together afterward. Keep watching: even after all of this, Cassius is still the first person to respond to Portia's death with 'How did I survive crossing you tonight?' His guilt and his love are the same thing.
Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
Be patient with me, good boy, I'm very forgetful. Can you keep your heavy eyes open for a bit, And play me a tune or two on your instrument?
Work with me, kid, I'm really forgetful these days. Can you keep your tired eyes open for a minute and play me a song or two?
sorr im forgetful can u stay awake & play me some music?
Ay, my lord, an’t please you.
Yes, my lord, if you wish.
Sure, no problem.
yeah sure
It does, my boy.
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
It does, my boy. I'm bothering you too much, but you're willing.
Good. I'm asking a lot of you, but I appreciate your willingness.
cool i know im asking a lot but thx
It is my duty, sir.
This is my responsibility, sir.
That's my job.
its my job
I should not urge thy duty past thy might;
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
I shouldn't push your duty beyond your strength; I know young men need time to rest.
I don't want to push you too hard; I know young people like you need sleep.
i dont wanna push u too hard young guys need rest
I have slept, my lord, already.
I've already slept, my lord.
I got some sleep already.
i already slept
It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again;
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.
That was good, and you'll sleep again; I won't keep you awake for long. If I survive this, I will be kind to you.
Good, and you can go back to sleep soon; I won't keep you up long. If I make it through this, I'll take care of you.
cool & u can sleep again soon if i survive this ill take care of u
This is a sleepy tune. O murd’rous slumber,
Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,
That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night;
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee.
If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument;
I’ll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night.
Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn’d down
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.
This is a sleep-inducing melody. O murderous sleep, laying your heavy weight upon my boy who plays you music! Kind servant, good night; I will not be so unkind as to wake you. If you fall asleep, you'll break your instrument; I'll take it from you, and, good boy, good night. Let me see, let me see—is the page not folded down where I left off reading? Here it is, I think.
God, this is such a sleepy tune. Sleep, you killer, laying your heavy weight on my poor boy while he's playing for you! Alright buddy, good night—I won't be cruel enough to wake you up. You'll snap your instrument if you nod off, so I'm taking it from you. Go to sleep, kid. Now, where was I reading? The page should be folded down... yeah, here it is.
this tune puts u right to sleep kills me how it's crushing him can't wake him he'd break the lute anyway let me find my place in this book
How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me. Art thou anything?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
That mak’st my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
How poorly this lamp burns! Wait—who's coming here? I think my eyes are failing me and creating this horrifying vision. It approaches me. Are you something real? Are you some god, some angel, or some evil spirit that makes my blood run cold and my hair stand on end? Tell me what you are.
This light is terrible. Wait, who's that? Who's coming? My eyes must be playing tricks on me—I'm seeing something horrible that can't be real. It's getting closer. Are you real? Are you a god, an angel, or some evil thing that's making my blood freeze and my hair stand straight up? Tell me who you are.
this light sucks who's coming i'm seeing things my eyes r messing w me this is so weird are u even real
Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
I am your evil spirit, Brutus.
I'm your evil conscience, Brutus.
im ur conscience & im here to haunt u
Why com’st thou?
Why do you come?
Why are you here?
why r u here
To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
To tell you that you will see me at Philippi.
To let you know you'll see me at Philippi.
ull see me at philippi
Well; then I shall see thee again?
Well, then I will see you again?
So I'll see you again?
so ill see u again?
Ay, at Philippi.
Yes, at Philippi.
Yes, you'll see me at Philippi.
yeah at philippi
Why, I will see thee at Philippi then.
Then I will see you at Philippi.
I'll see you at Philippi then.
ill see u at philippi
Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest.
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.
Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius!
Now that I've gotten my courage back, you vanish. Evil spirit, I would like to continue talking with you. Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, wake up! Claudius!
Great, now I'm ready to face you and you disappear. You evil ghost, I want to keep talking. Hey! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Everyone, wake up! Claudius!
ofc u leave now i finally got brave hey guys wake up lucius varro claudius wake up
The strings, my lord, are false.
The strings, my lord, are out of tune.
My lord, these strings have gone out of tune.
strings r out of tune
He thinks he still is at his instrument.
Lucius, awake!
He still thinks he's at his instrument. Lucius, wake up!
He's still lost in his dreams about playing. Lucius, wake up!
hes still dreaming bout his lute lucius wake up!
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
my lord
Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?
Were you dreaming, Lucius, that you cried out so?
Were you having a nightmare, Lucius? You cried out.
were u dreaming? u were yelling
My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
My lord, I don't know that I cried out.
My lord, I didn't realize I was making noise.
i didnt know i was yelling
Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see anything?
Yes, you did. Did you see anything?
You were definitely yelling. Did you see anything?
u were yelling did u see anything?
Nothing, my lord.
Nothing, my lord.
Nothing, my lord.
nothing, my lord
Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius!
Fellow thou, awake!
Go back to sleep, Lucius. You there, Claudius! Hey you, wake up!
Get some more sleep, Lucius. Hey Claudius! Wake up, you!
go back to sleep lucius claudius wake up!
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
my lord
My lord?
My lord?
My lord?
my lord
Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?
Why did you both cry out in your sleep?
Why were you both yelling in your sleep?
why were u guys yelling while asleep?
Did we, my lord?
Were we the ones making that noise, my lord?
We did? We were yelling?
we were?
Ay. Saw you anything?
Yes. Did you see anything?
Yeah. Did you see anything?
yeah u see anything?
No, my lord, I saw nothing.
No, my lord, I didn't see anything.
No, nothing at all.
nope nothing
Nor I, my lord.
Neither did I, my lord.
Neither did I.
me neither
Go and commend me to my brother Cassius;
Bid him set on his powers betimes before,
And we will follow.
Go give my regards to my brother Cassius; Tell him to deploy his forces early, And we will follow.
Go tell my brother Cassius I said hello, and tell him to move his army out early. We'll catch up.
tell cassius im sending my regards tell him to move his army early well follow
It shall be done, my lord.
It will be done, my lord.
We'll take care of it.
will do
The Reckoning
This is the play's emotional centre for Brutus: the quarrel with Cassius exposes how much pressure he's been carrying alone, and the revelation of Portia's death — delivered twice, once privately and once stoically before Messala — shows Brutus performing Stoic endurance while something inside him is breaking. The ghost's arrival at the end turns up what has already been a scene of sustained dread, and the audience leaves the tent knowing Brutus is walking straight into doom.
If this happened today…
Two co-founders of a failing startup are alone in the office at midnight. One accuses the other of siphoning funds. The fight escalates to the point where one of them pulls open his laptop to show the other's bank transfers. Then, in the middle of the screaming match, the quieter one says flatly: 'My wife died last week.' The room goes silent. They pour whiskey. They talk strategy. Then the lights flicker and the founder who killed the deal sees the face of his dead mentor on the security-camera feed.