Solo/Duet Performance Preparation

Context: In a public area, Brutus and Cassius is having a conversation. Cassius is trying to convince Brutus to turn against Caesar.

The significance of this passage is that the conspiritors need Brutus most of all, because Brutus will serve as figurehead of the conspirators, and that way, the conspirator's deed will seem more noble and honourable. Brutus is a patriot who has always loved Rome, and the people of Rome knows this about him. It is also significant because Brutus later on as he acts as the leader of the conspirators, makes a few crucial decisions that will alter the flow of the play. As far as Brutus id concerned, The reason he killed Caesar is just, and the people of Rome will understand that, if Brutus explained it to them. This makes him careless, and also goes to the point where he shows a bit of hubris, which causes him to make carless mistakes. Such mistakes as assuming Antony is but a limb of Caesar, and cannot do anything without him.

(Aaron: Cassius, Ragav: Brutus)
ACT I

SCENE II
(Lines 25-88)

CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course?

BRUTUS
Not I.

CASSIUS
I pray you, do.

BRUTUS
I am not gamesome: I do lack some partOf that quick spirit that is in Antony.Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;I'll leave you.

CASSIUS
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:I have not from your eyes that gentlenessAnd show of love as I was wont to have:You bear too stubborn and too strange a handOver your friend that loves you.

BRUTUS
Cassius,Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look,I turn the trouble of my countenanceMerely upon myself. Vexed I amOf late with passions of some difference,Conceptions only proper to myself,Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors;But let not therefore my good friends be grieved--Among which number, Cassius, be you one--Nor construe any further my neglect,Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,Forgets the shows of love to other men.

CASSIUS
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;By means whereof this breast of mine hath buriedThoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS
No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself,But by reflection, by some other things.

CASSIUS
'Tis just:And it is very much lamented, Brutus,That you have no such mirrors as will turnYour hidden worthiness into your eye,That you might see your shadow. I have heard,Where many of the best respect in Rome,Except immortal Caesar, speaking of BrutusAnd groaning underneath this age's yoke,Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes.

BRUTUS
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,That you would have me seek into myselfFor that which is not in me?

CASSIUS
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear:And since you know you cannot see yourselfSo well as by reflection, I, your glass,Will modestly discover to yourselfThat of yourself which you yet know not of.And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus:Were I a common laugher, or did useTo stale with ordinary oaths my loveTo every new protester; if you knowThat I do fawn on men and hug them hardAnd after scandal them, or if you knowThat I profess myself in banquetingTo all the rout, then hold me dangerous.

BRUTUS
What means this shouting? I do fear, the peopleChoose Caesar for their king.

CASSIUS
Ay, do you fear it?Then must I think you would not have it so.

BRUTUS
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.But wherefore do you hold me here so long?What is it that you would impart to me?If it be aught toward the general good,Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,And I will look on both indifferently,For let the gods so speed me as I loveThe name of honour more than I fear death.