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   dymatsuoka

   eNotes Editor

   After being given incorrect information about the status of his friend Titinius in battle, Cassius asks his servant Pindarus to help him commit suicide.  Pindarus, bound by oath to obey his master, runs Cassius's own sword through his master's heart.

   Cassius, who earlier was the instigator in the plot against Caesar, consents against his better judgement to defer to Brutus's plan to have the Roman Army attack their enemy at Philippi.  Cassius had thought that it would be better to remain at Sardis and let the enemy come to them, but as he does several times in the course of the play, he gives in to Brutus's direction.  In the heat of battle, Cassius sends his friend Titinius to approach nearby troops to determine if they "are friend or enemy" (Scene V, Act ii, line 18).  Pindaurus later mistakenly reports that Titinius has been captured by the enemy.  Cassius, distraught, says,

   "O coward that I am, to live so long to see my best friend ta'en before my face!" (Scene V, Act iii, lines 34-35).

   It is then that he asks his servant to help him kill himself.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/jc/act-v-scenes-2-3-summary-analysis

   http://www.enotes.com/jc/cassius-character-analysis

   http://www.enotes.com/jc/other-characters-descriptions

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   Posted by dymatsuoka on Thursday December 4, 2008 at 1:02 PM