Brutus' Reaction:
1. Shock and Fear: Brutus is deeply affected by the appearance of Caesar's ghost. This supernatural occurrence comes entirely unprepared and shocks him to his core. He is filled with fear and astonishment.
2. Confusion and Doubt: The sight of the ghost raises doubts and questions within Brutus's mind. He begins to wonder whether he made the right decision in joining the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
3. Guilt and Remorse: Brutus feels a sense of guilt and remorse for his role in Caesar's death. The appearance of the ghost suggests that Caesar's spirit isn't at peace, which weighs heavily on Brutus's conscience.
4. Mental Anguish: Brutus experiences intense mental anguish as a result of the ghost's appearance. He becomes troubled, restless, and unable to find solace.
5. Loss of Rationality: The supernatural encounter takes a toll on Brutus's rational faculties. He becomes susceptible to irrational thoughts, visions, and hallucinations, as evident when he later misreads the signs before the battle of Philippi.
Actions and Consequences:
1. Decision to Fight: After seeing the ghost, Brutus resolves to fight against the forces led by Octavius Caesar and Mark Antony. He believes the ghost visit is a warning that a civil war is coming and he must defend his actions and the ideals of the Roman Republic.
2. Battle of Philippi: Brutus faces Octavius and Antony in the Battle of Philippi. Despite his valorous efforts, Brutus's army is defeated.
3. Tragic End: Brutus ultimately takes his own life after realising the futility of continuing the fight. His suicide marks the end of the republican cause and paves the way for the rise of Octavius Caesar as the ruler of the Roman Empire.
The appearance of Caesar's ghost in "Julius Caesar" serves as a pivotal turning point in the play. It catalyses Brutus's inner conflict, exacerbates his guilt, and sets in motion a chain of events, leading to his tragic demise and the downfall of the republican ideals he held dear.