At the beginning of Act IV scene 1 we see further evidence
of political intrigue and cloak-and-dagger Machiavellian approaches to power. Now that
Julius Caesar has been assassinated and Brutus and Cassius have left, the Republic is in
turmoil and Antony, Octavius and Lepidus are in power. Trying to secure their own
leadership, as the scene opens, they are drawing up a list of political enemies to be
slaughtered. By "pricking" the names of these people they mark them to die, even those
who are closest to them or relatives:
Upon condition Publius shall not
live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark
Antony.
We see these three
characters willing to sacrifice family members as part of a measure to secure their
power. In response to this condition from Lepidus, Antony replies that "with a spot I
damn him." In the murky world of politics and power we are presented with yet more
characters who are willing to do anything to maintain their position--even if it means
killing others.
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