Brutus Character Development Act 2 Resolved Although Brutus

Brutus Character Development Act 2

Resolved • Although Brutus is still anxious (he envies Lucius his ability to sleep soundly) he has decided Caesar must die. • ‘It must be by his death. ’ • He has decided that Caesar is like ‘a serpent’s egg’ and that if his powers were to increase he would become a tyrant.

Naïve • Brutus immediately believes the forged letter that Cassius has planted. • He thinks this proves he is right about Caesar: ‘Thus must I piece it out’. • He believes the letter speaks for all Romans.

Leader • Now that Brutus has agreed to the conspiracy, he takes charge of it. • He does not do things by half-measures. • He overrules Cassius’ suggestions that they take an oath and, later, that they kill Mark Antony too.

Honourable • An oath would imply distrust. . • ‘Do not stain / The even virtue of our enterprise’. • Killing Mark Antony would be dishonourable. • ‘Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers’.

Worried • Brutus says several times in Act 1 Scene 2 that he cannot sleep. • He is worried about telling his wife about his plans. She is the voice of his conscience.

Guilty • When he meets Caesar, to accompany him to the Senate, Brutus grieves to think that they are about to kill him. • Brutus has noticed how often Caesar has called the conspirators ‘friends’ and now feels guilty.

Key Words About Brutus in Act Two • • • Resolved Naïve Leader Honourable Worried Guilty