Character Sketch from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3 of Brutus, Cassius, Messala, the Poet and the Ghost of Caesar
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 Brutus, Cassius, Messala, the Poet and the Ghost of Caesar from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3.
- Character Sketch of Brutus
- Questions related to the Character of Brutus
- Character Sketch of Cassius
- Questions related to the Character of Cassius
- Character Sketch of Messala
- Questions related to the Character of Messala
- Character Sketch of the Poet
- Questions related to the Character of the Poet
- Character Sketch of the Ghost of Caesar
- Questions related to the character of the Ghost of Caesar
Related:
- Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3 Summary, Explanation
- Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3 Question Answers
- ICSE Class 10 English Lesson Notes
Character Sketch of Brutus
Brutus is presented as a man of stern, unbending moral principle who struggles to maintain his ideals in a corrupt world. He is the central figure of the scene, driving the conflict with Cassius by accusing him of corruption ‘an itching palm’. His motivation is pure: he reminds Cassius that they killed Caesar for justice’s sake, not to support ‘robbers’. This deep-seated honesty and stoicism define him. When he reveals the death of his wife, Portia, it is with a remarkable, almost chilling, calmness, demonstrating his philosophy that a man must endure loss. Despite his initial harshness, Brutus shows contrition and a yearning for reconciliation, explaining his anger as a momentary spark. However, his intellectual arrogance is evident when he overrules Cassius’s sound military strategy, using the famous ‘tide in the affairs of men’ argument to enforce his own will to march to Philippi. His encounter with Caesar’s Ghost at the end of the scene introduces an element of psychological strain, hinting that his moral resolve is being tested and foreshadowing his fate.
Questions related to the Character of Brutus
Q1. For what does Brutus accuse Cassius? Why does he level such accusations?
Q2. How does Brutus justify his honesty?
Character Sketch of Cassius
Cassius is portrayed as passionate, volatile, and pragmatic, contrasting sharply with Brutus’s idealism. He is initially defensive and highly reactive to Brutus’s accusations of corruption, revealing his own deep-seated sensitivity and a fear of being judged. His anger is quick to flare, leading him to make threats that he immediately regrets, such as offering Brutus his dagger in a fit of melodramatic despair. While he is capable of deep emotion and friendship, confessing his faults and reconciling with Brutus, he is also a realist about the necessity of certain ‘nice offences’ in wartime. He is shown to be a wise and seasoned soldier in his strategic advice to wait for the enemy to come to them. When Brutus is harsh, Cassius’s wounded love is visible, showing his profound reliance on Brutus’s affection for his self-worth. His overwhelming grief at the news of Portia’s death underscores his emotional depth, further setting him apart from Brutus’s cold stoicism.
Questions related to the Character of Cassius
Q1. How do we see the contrast between Cassius’ and Brutus’ idealism?
Q2. How do we see the changing temper of Cassius?
Character Sketch of Messala
Messala is a loyal and concerned officer serving Brutus and Cassius. His primary role is to bring crucial military and political news. He confirms the massive killings ordered by the Triumvirate (Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus), specifically mentioning the death of Cicero. He acts as a straightforward messenger, confirming the grim reality of their situation. He also performs a subtle service by checking Brutus’s emotional state regarding Portia, allowing Brutus to demonstrate his stoicism to Cassius before the truth is confirmed.
Questions related to the Character of Messala
Q1. How does Messala display loyalty?
Q2. How does Messala assist the grieving Brutus?
Character Sketch of the Poet
The Poet is a brief but memorable comic interlude. He represents a kind of crude, unwelcome philosopher or a simple-minded commoner. He bursts into the tent to advise the generals to reconcile, using bad, clumsy rhyme. Cassius finds him merely ‘vilely’ rhyming, while Brutus, in his heightened state, is intolerant and dismissive ‘jigging fools’, showing his lack of patience for matters outside of serious military and moral affairs. The Poet’s appearance helps to momentarily ease the tension between Brutus and Cassius, providing a moment of shared, if dismissive, amusement.
Questions related to the Character of the Poet
Q1. What advice does the poet give?
Q2. How do the Roman warriors react to the poet?
Character Sketch of the Ghost of Caesar
The Ghost of Caesar appears as the final, chilling element of the scene. It is a symbol of Brutus’s guilt, anxiety, and impending doom. By calling himself Brutus’s ‘evil spirit’, the Ghost suggests that Brutus’s act of regicide has unleashed a dark, inescapable fate. The Ghost’s simple message ‘Thou shalt see me at Philippi’, acts as a prophecy of defeat, serving as an unsettling psychological burden on Brutus before the final battle.
Questions related to the Character of the Ghost of Caesar
Q1. What is the reason behind the appearance of the ghost of Caesar?
Q2. What warning does the ghost give and to whom?