Scene summary
On the plains of Philippi, Octavius and Mark Antony notice that the enemy has come down to battle, contrary to what Antony had predicted; Antony answers that it is a pose meant to feign courage. Antony orders Octavius to lead the left flank, and Octavius insists on the right, saying that he does not contradict him but will do it this way. The generals of both sides parley and trade insults: Antony says Brutus struck Caesar while shouting "Hail, Caesar!", and Octavius swears he will not sheathe his sword until he has avenged Caesar's thirty-three wounds. When the rivals leave, Cassius, on his own birthday, confesses to Messala that he has come to believe in omens: the two eagles that had accompanied the army since Sardis have vanished, and ravens fly overhead. He says he is forced to risk everything in one battle, like Pompey. He asks Brutus what he will do if they lose. Brutus says he thinks it cowardly to kill oneself out of fear of what may come, but refuses to be led captive to Rome, and declares that this day will finish the work the Ides of March began. They take their final leave of each other.
Analysis
Cassius confesses to Messala that, on his birthday, he has come to believe in omens: the eagles that had accompanied the army have vanished and ravens circle overhead. He also says he was forced, against his will, to risk everything in a battle, like Pompey. For this reason he asks Brutus what he will do if they lose: he wants to know what to expect. Cassius had followed Epicurus, a school that gives no credit to omens, and now changes his belief; Brutus keeps the rule against suicide, the same one by which he censured Cato's death.
But this same day / Must end that work the Ides of March begun;
(V.1)
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