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All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 5Scene 5
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"free"
Wordplay
Act 5,
Scene 5
Lines 53-58

An explanation of the two meanings of the word "free" in Act 5, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Octavius

[Indicating Strato] What man is that?

Messala

My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?

Strato

Free from the bondage you are in, Messala;
The conquerors can but make a fire of him.
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honor by his death.

This line has two possible interpretations:

  • Brutus is free; he hasn't been taken prisoner like Messala.
  • Being dead, Brutus is free from any earthly constraints; all his conquerors can do is cremate his body.