Two philosophers are directly referred to at the end of the first scene in Act V. The first one is Epicurus, the Greek philosopher who did not believe that natural or supernatural events were omens or predictions of the future. Rather, Epicurus believed that the only relationship between such an event and the affairs of man was merely coincidence. Cassius is a follower of this belief. The reader should recall the first act, where Cassius walked through the storm with his jacket open (Act I, 3: 41). Cassius disregarded the lightning and the fire falling from the sky because he did not believe that these events had any direct connection to his own actions.
Shakespeare often portrays a character that seems to have no regard for fate or destiny early in a play later regret that opinion (see, for example, Iago in Othello or Edmund in King Lear). Cassius, too, changes his mind. He tells his companion Messala, “You know that I held Epicurus strong, and his opinion. Now I change my mind” (76-77). Cassius then proceeds to explain how the appearance of ravens and scavenger birds perching on their military banners casts a “fatal” shadow (87). The word fatal suggests both deadly and fateful. Cassius, though, despite his change of heart, feels ready to face the battle whatever the outcome might be.
The second philosopher mentioned is Cato, a Roman who committed suicide when Caesar conquered Pompey. Brutus felt that Cato was morally wrong and weak to commit suicide. Rather, Brutus admires the belief of Plato, the Greek philosopher who spoke against suicide. Brutus tells Cassius that suicide is “cowardly and vile” (103) when Cassius asks what Brutus would do if Antony and Octavius were to capture him. But Brutus also knows that if he is captured, then Antony and Octavius will put him in chains and parade him through the streets of Rome in an act of dishonor and disgrace. Brutus, as noted earlier, holds his honor dearly. He could never allow such disgrace to happen to him.
Think not, thou noble Roman,
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome.
(111-12)
And so, like Cassius, Brutus will have to contradict one of his deep philosophical beliefs. This scene foreshadows what is to come: Brutus will choose suicide over public humiliation and disgrace.
Shakespeare appears to be indicating that in times of great stress or great adversity, any man could act against a belief that he had held – all of his life previously – to be important and essential to his very nature. There are times when one belief or philosophy will be in conflict with another belief or philosophy. All men are human. And all men, even the noblest, are full of contradictions.
The extremely brief second scene is to inform the audience that the battle has begun and that Octavius is not doing well. Brutus believes that he will soon defeat Octavius’ forces.