You’re mistaken, Cassius, he said. If I have veiled my look it’s because I’m preoccupied. I’ve been troubled lately with some thoughts that concern only myself. Maybe that’s affecting my behaviour. But I hope my good friends, among which you’re one, won’t be upset, nor put any construction on it other than that I’m at war with myself and that perhaps makes me seem as though I don’t value them.
Brutus, I’ve been watching you lately. You’ve changed towards me. I don’t see that friendliness in your eyes that I used to. You’ve become too remote from this close friend of yours.
I don’t, Cassius, although I love him well. But why are you keeping me here for such a long time? What is it that you want to tell me? If it’s anything beneficial to the general welfare, whatever it is, good news or bad, I’ll look on either impartially. Let the gods prosper me in that I love honor more than I fear death.
What does that shouting mean? said Brutus. I really fear that the people are choosing Caesar as their king.
Yes, do you fear it? said Cassius sharply. Then I must conclude that you don’t want that.
More cheering? I really do believe that this applause is for some new honours that are being heaped on Caesar.
Men can ultimately be masters of their own fates, he said. The fault, dear Brutus, is not written in our stars, but in ourselves that we are underlings.
You see? said Cassius. ‘He straddles the world like a Colossus, and we mere men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find dishonourable graves for ourselves.
I know. They say that the senators are planning to establish Caesar as king tomorrow. And he’s going to wear his crown on the sea and the land everywhere except here in Italy
Romans have muscles and limbs just like their ancestors had, but sadly, our fathers’ minds are dead and we have our mothers’ minds. Our willingness to be enslaved shows us to have become feminine.
I know where I’m going to wear this dagger then, Cassius is going to liberate Cassius from slavery
So can I, Every prisoner holds the power to cancel his captivity in his own hands
And how is Caesar able to be a tyrant then?
You’re talking to Casca, he said. And to a man who is not a fawning tell-tale. Wait. Here’s my hand. Do something to organize others and I’ll go as far as all the of them.
It’s a deal, then. Now you should know, Casca, I have already persuaded some of the most noble-minded Romans to join me in a noble but dangerous project. And I know they’re waiting for me at Pompey’s porch. Because of the weather there’s no-one out doors. The state of the weather is like the work we have before us – bloody, fiery and most terrible.