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