What is the significance of Octavius's characterization in Act 5 of Julius Caesar?

In Julius Caesar, Caesar's heir-apparent is Mark Antony. It is Antony who is anointed Caesar's successor by the mob (Act III, Scene 2), and Antony who is the senior to Octavius (Act IV, Scene 1). However, a question mark hangs over Antony's head -- we know from his quick and cunning response to the conspiracy that he is not merely a light-headed party animal, as Brutus has carelessly characterized him, but we are left unsure as to how solid he will be in the long term. His cynical comments about Lepidus make us wonder whether he can truly command the loyalty of those he must lead (Act IV, Scene 1):

And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so:
He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth;
A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds
On objects, arts, and imitations,
Which, out of use and staled by other men,
Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him
But as a property.

Octavius may think this way of some of those he deals with, but he will never be so impudent as to say it out loud. This gives him greater leadership potential than Mark Antony.

Octavius' characterization in Act V reinforces the impression given earlier in the play that in spite of his youth, he is a talented, solid, and cautious leader who can inspire confidence among his subordinates. In the very first lines of Act V Scene 1, we learn that Octavius has predicted the movements of the enemy better than Antony has:

Now, Antony, our hopes are answered.
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions.
It proves not so.

He then insists on keeping to the right in the battle, an arrangement that leads to victory, albeit indirectly:

O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly. (Act V, Scene 3)

When final victory is won, Octavius recruits everyone in Brutus' service into his own ranks (Act V, Scene 5):

All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?

And Octavius is given the final word in the play, indicating that his opinions will count the most in disposing of the results of the victory:

According to his [Brutus'] virtue let us use him
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honorably.
So call the field to rest, and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day. (Act V, Scene 5)

Thus, throughout Act V of Julius Caesar, Octavius is presented as not only Mark Antony's equal but in some sense his superior, despite his relative youth. He is more stable and mature, and he seems to see further into the future than the mercurial Antony. Even though there is little hint of hostility between the two in this play, the characterization of Octavius leaves us in little doubt of which one of them will prevail if they compete head to head, as they will in Antony and Cleopatra.

What is the importance of Octavius's characterization in Julius Caesar?

Historically, Octavius Caesar was the great- nephew of Julius Caesar; he became the first Roman Emperor in 27 B.C.E.  In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Octavius is a relatively minor character who appears in the last two Acts of the play. 

The first mention of Octavius comes at the end of Act 3, scene 1, when Octavius's servant arrives to inform Antony that Caesar had previously sent for Octavius, and that Octavius is within 20 miles of Rome and will arrive there soon.

When audiences first meet Octavius in Act 4, scene 1, he is meeting with Antony and Lepidus to discuss their strategy against the conspirators.  In his first line of dialogue, Octavius tells Lepidus that Lepidus's brother's name is being added to a list of names of men who must be killed (presumably because they pose a threat to this new triumvirate).  This seemingly heartless declaration, made by Octavius in such a matter-of-fact way, gives many audiences an unfavorable first impression of Octavius.  However, Octavius's commitment to avenge his uncle's death is clear from his first line in the play.  Octavius soon softens, though, in his defense of Lepidus when Antony refers to him as a "slight, unmeritable man,/ Meet to be sent on errands." 

More significantly, audiences witness Octavius's commitment to avenging Caesar's murder during the Act 5, scene 1 battle against Brutus:

Look, I draw a sword against the conspirators. When think you that the sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three-and-thirty wounds           Be well avenged, or till another Caesar                Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.

After Brutus's death, though, Octavius is able to objectively recognize Brutus as a noble, honorable soldier.  First, Octavius vows to take all of Brutus's followers into his own service (rather than punishing--or even killing--them), and finally, with his final lines, which are also the final lines of the play:

According to his (Brutus's) virtue let us use him,  With all respect and rites of burial.                     Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,            Most like a soldier, ordered honorably.                    So call the field to rest, and let's away                    To part the glories of this happy day.

Ultimately, though Octavius plays a relatively small part in the action of the play (and certainly if one counts the number of lines he actually speaks), Octavius's character serves as a reminder that while Caesar was unjustly murdered by Brutus, Brutus was an honorable, noble man who did what he believed was right for Rome.  From Octavius's final lines, audiences can assume that Brutus will be given a proper burial, and that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus will do their best to reestablish peace in Rome.

Discuss the character Octavius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Octavius Caesar becomes the Emperor of Rome in 27 B.C. After the civil war between Antony and Octavius’s armies and the conspirators, Antony foolishly loses everything because of his love for Cleopatra.  Octavius goes to Egypt and defeats Antony. He changes his name to Augustus Caesar was considered to be a progressive leader.

In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Octavius arrives in Rome just as Caesar is assassinated.  He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar.  Octavius did not enter Rome for fear that he too would be murdered. Finally, Antony told him that it was safe and sent for him to come into Rome. 

At the time of the assassination, Octavius was thought to be too young to hold a place of importance in the government; however, because of his relationship with Caesar, Antony included him in all of the major decisions made after the assassination.

When Octavius is first introduced, he appears aloof and arrogant.  He does not defer to Antony, but rather stands on his own and does what he pleases.  This creates problems for Antony as he reminds Octavius that Antony is older and more experience in battle and government issues.

In Act IV, Scene I, Octavius is a part of the second triumvirate along with Antony and Lepidus.  The trio has decided to execute any of the government officials that have said or done something against this new government.  Octavius asserts himself in a disagreement with Antony. 

Antony speaks against Lepidus as unworthy to be a part of the new government.  Octavius disagrees with him and points out that it was Antony who included Lepidus in the government.  Octavius does force Lepidus to write his brother’s name on the execution list.  Octavius tells Antony that he feels that there are many in Rome who are their enemies. He thinks that there are those who smile at them but really wish them harm.

In Act V, Octavius aggressively moves to go against the will of Antony. Realizing that Antony will not let him rule Rome without a fight, Octavius intensified his resistance to allow Antony any domination over the armies or the battle.  He demonstrates his ability to stand up against Antony:

Antony: Octavius, lead your battle softly on
Upon the left hand or the even field.
Octavius: Upon the right hand I; keep though the left.
Antony: Why do you cross me in this exigent?

Octavius also points out that Antony predicted incorrectly that Brutus and Cassius would not come to Philippi.  In addition, he does not follow Antony’s suggestion and does go into battle on the left hand side.   Later, Octavius sees that Antony does understand battle strategy and follows his lead in the defensive positions during the battle and allow the enemy to initiate the battle.

This subtle fight for power between the two leaders foreshadows what will happen between them after they defeat conspirators.  Shakespeare does build the character of Octavius by highlighting those aspects of his personality that will predominate later in his political and military conflicts with Antony and in his role as the Emperor Augustus. Octavius is astute in his political decisions and in his relationship with Antony.

What qualities does Octavius exhibit which will aide him in his rise to the head of the Roman Empire?

Confidence, determination, decisive, clever, aloof, proud, dominant, and fearless.

Can you provide a character sketch of Octavius in Julius Caesar?

Octavius is Julius Caesar's adopted great nephew and heir; he is part of the triumvirate formed after Caesar's death, with Lepidus and Marc Antony as the other two.

It is not until Act IV that Octavius is introduced.  At a house in Rome, he speaks with Antony, who is compiling a list of political enemies as the republic is in turmoil.  Antony sends Lepidus to "fetch" Caesar's will; while he is gone, Antony remarks,

This is a slight unmeritable man,/Meet to be sent on errands; is it fit,/The threefold world divided, he should stand /One of the three to share it? (IV,i,12-15)

Octavius shows himself to be much nobler than Antony who is treacherous and cruel.  Octavius questions this deprecatory view of Lepidus, asking Antony why he thought Lepidus was competent enough to assist in the list of political enemies but now he is only good for running errands.  Antony intends to use Lepidus much as Cassius used Brutus to serve his purposes.  Unlike Antony, Octavius finds Lepidus "a tried and valiant soldier" (IV,ii,29).

Later, at the battle of Phillippi, Octavius again disagrees with Antony, following his own military strategy, challenging Brutus and Cassius to "come to the field."  When the conspirators are defeated and Brutus dies, although Antony acknowledges that Brutus is "the noblest Roman of them all" (V,v,68), it is Octavius who calls in the armies,

According to his [Brutus's] virtue, let us use him/With all respect and rites of burial./Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,/Most like a soldier ordered honorably./So call the field to rest, and let's away/To part the glories of this happy day. (I,V,76-81)

This commanding presence of Octavius in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" suggests the future stability of the Roman Empire; later Octavius is made Emperor.