Question

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar, act 2, scene 1.

BRUTUS
Give me your hands all over, one by one.

CASSIUS
And let us swear our resolution.

BRUTUS
No, not an oath. If not the face of men,
The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—120
If these be motives weak, break off betimes,
And every man hence to his idle bed.
So let high-sighted tyranny range on
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these—
As I am sure they do—bear fire enough125
To kindle cowards and to steel with valor
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,
What need we any spur but our own cause
To prick us to redress? What other bond
Than secret Romans that have spoke the word130
And will not palter? And what other oath
Than honesty to honesty engaged,
That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls135
That welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swear
Such creatures as men doubt. But do not stain
The even virtue of our enterprise,
Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits,
To think that or our cause or our performance140
Did need an oath, when every drop of blood
That every Roman bears—and nobly bears—
Is guilty of a several bastardy
If he do break the smallest particle
Of any promise that hath passed from him.145

How does this scene contribute to the plot?

It gives Brutus and the others an excuse to drop the plan.
It shows that Brutus and the others are afraid.
It illustrates Brutus’s resolve and commitment.
It exemplifies Brutus’s mistrust of the other men.

Answer 1

It illustrates Brutus’s resolve and commitment.

Brutus argues against oaths and extra pledges because he believes their cause and honor are sufficient bonds. His speech shows him taking moral leadership, firming the conspiracy’s purpose, and moving the plot forward toward the assassination.