BRUTUS:
“Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!”
Brutus is urging his men to stay strong despite their defeat. The exclamation “O” shows his passion, while the command to “hold up your heads” is a call for resilience. This line uses both exclamation and imperative tone to encourage strength.

Brutus, Messala, and Flavius exit.

CATO:
“What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I will proclaim my name about the field. I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! A foe to tyrants and my country’s friend. I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!”
Cato challenges anyone who doesn’t stand against tyranny, calling them “bastards” to shame them. He then proudly announces his noble identity, repeating “I am the son of Marcus Cato” to emphasize his pride in his lineage. This shows repetition for emphasis, and the rhetorical question “What bastard doth not?” challenges others to act. The imperative “I will proclaim my name” shows Cato’s determination.

Enter Soldiers and fight.

LUCILIUS:
“And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I! Brutus, my country’s friend! Know me for Brutus.”
Lucilius pretends to be Brutus to protect him. He repeats “Brutus” to solidify his claim and convince others. The repetition here highlights his deception, and the identity claim (“I am Brutus”) is a bold statement of self-assurance.

Cato is killed.
LUCILIUS:
“O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius And mayst be honored, being Cato’s son.”
Lucilius mourns Cato’s death, praising him for his bravery. The metaphor “die as bravely as Titinius” compares Cato’s noble death to another’s, honoring his courage. The alliteration in “young and noble Cato” gives a rhythmic flow, emphasizing Cato’s virtue.

FIRST SOLDIER, seizing Lucilius:
“Yield, or thou diest.”
The soldier orders Lucilius to surrender or face death. The imperative “Yield” shows the soldier’s power over Lucilius.

LUCILIUS:
“Only I yield to die. There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight.”
Lucilius refuses to surrender, accepting his death. The phrase “yield to die” contrasts the act of surrendering with the inevitability of death, using antithesis to show his determination.

Offering money:
“Kill Brutus and be honored in his death.”
Lucilius offers a bribe to the soldier, suggesting that killing Brutus will bring honor. This is ironic because Lucilius, pretending to be Brutus, is trying to save Brutus by offering a false incentive.

FIRST SOLDIER:
“We must not. A noble prisoner!”
The first soldier refuses to kill Lucilius, calling him a “noble prisoner,” which shows respect for his bravery and worth. This is an example of diction, where the word “noble” elevates Lucilius’s status.

Enter Antony.

SECOND SOLDIER:
“Room, ho! Tell Antony Brutus is ta’en.”
The second soldier announces that Brutus has been captured. The imperative “Room, ho!” creates urgency and calls for attention.

FIRST SOLDIER:
“I’ll tell the news. Here comes the General.— Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.”
The first soldier informs Antony of Brutus’s capture. The repetition of “Brutus is ta’en” emphasizes the importance of the news.

ANTONY:
“Where is he?”
Antony asks about Brutus’s location, showing his concern. This simple question conveys his urgent need for information.

LUCILIUS:
“Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough. I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself.”
Lucilius assures Antony that Brutus is either safe or dead, but his honor will be intact. The foreshadowing in “alive or dead” hints at Brutus’s fate without revealing it. The personification of “the gods defend him” gives human-like qualities to the gods, showing Lucilius’s belief in divine protection. The irony lies in Lucilius pretending to be Brutus, while speaking about Brutus’s honor.

ANTONY:
“This is not Brutus, friend, but I assure you, A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe. Give him all kindness. I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies.”
Antony recognizes that this is not Brutus but still praises Lucilius as valuable. The contrast between “friends” and “enemies” highlights Antony’s respect for noble men, regardless of their identity. The metaphor of Lucilius being “a prize” emphasizes his worth.

ANTONY continues:
“Go on, And see whe’er Brutus be alive or dead, And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent How everything is chanced.”
Antony sends a soldier to find out Brutus’s fate and report back. The imperative “Go on” directs the action, showing Antony’s authority.