Character Sketch from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 1 of Mark Antony, Octavius and Lepidus
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Mark Antony, Octavius and Lepidus from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 1.
- Character Sketch of Mark Antony
- Questions related to the Character of Mark Antony
- Character Sketch of Octavius
- Questions related to the Character of Octavius
- Character Sketch of Lepidus
- Questions related to the character of Lepidus
Related:
- Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 1 Summary, Explanation
- Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 1 Question Answers
- ICSE Class 10 English Lesson Notes
Character Sketch of Mark Antony
In this scene, the charismatic orator from Act 3 gives way to a ruthless, pragmatic politician. Antony is the clear leader and the most cynical of the three. His first lines, ‘These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked’, set a cold, detached tone for the scene. He agrees without a second thought to sacrifice his own nephew for political expediency and then immediately dismisses Lepidus as an ‘unmeritable man’ the moment he leaves. Antony’s most revealing moment comes in his comparison of Lepidus to an ‘empty ass’ that bears a load only to be cast aside once its purpose is served. This demonstrates his manipulative and condescending nature; he sees people not as allies or friends, but as tools to be used and discarded.
Questions related to the character of Mark Antony
Q1. What peculiar character trait of Antony can be seen in this scene?
Q2. What shift is noticeable in Antony’s character?
Character Sketch of Octavius
Octavius, Caesar’s adopted son and heir, is a foil to Antony. He is younger and less experienced, but he possesses a shrewd and measured temperament. While he participates in the proscription, he shows a brief flash of humanity by defending Lepidus, calling him a ‘tried and valiant soldier’. However, he ultimately defers to Antony’s authority, indicating the unequal power dynamic between them. Octavius’s final line, ‘some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, / Millions of mischiefs’, shows a keen political awareness. He understands that the treachery they are practicing on Lepidus is a game that can be turned against them, hinting at his own future rise to power.
Questions related to the character of Octavius
Q1. Describe the character traits of Octavius.
Q2. How does Octavius differ from Antony?
Character Sketch of Lepidus
Lepidus is the third, and most insignificant, member of the triumvirate. His few lines are jarringly cold; he consents to his own brother’s death and demands a similar sacrifice from Antony. However, the true nature of his character is revealed through Antony and Octavius’s discussion of him after he exits. Antony describes him as a ‘barren-spirited fellow’ and a mere ‘property’ to be taught and trained. Lepidus is not a leader; he is a follower, a pawn in a larger game of power. His presence in the scene serves to highlight the ruthless ambition and moral decay of Antony and Octavius, who are already planning to betray their own ally.
Questions related to the character of Lepidus
Q1. Describe Lepidus.
Q2. What do Antony and Octavius discuss about Lepidus?