Question

BRUTUS. He is not doubted.—A word, Lucillius.

How he [Cassius] received you let me be resolved.

LUCILLIUS. With courtesy and with respect enough,

But not with such familiar instances,

Nor with such free and friendly conference,

As he hath used of old.

BRUTUS. Thou hast described

A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucillius:

When love begins to sicken and decay

It useth an enforcèd ceremony.

There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;

But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,

Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;

But when they should endure the bloody spur,

They fall their crests and, like deceitful jades,

Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?



–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,
William Shakespeare

What conflict does Brutus describe in this passage?

his external conflict with Cassius
his external conflict with Mark Antony
his internal conflict over offing Caesar
his internal conflict about the state of Rome

Answer 1

his external conflict with Cassius

Brutus is describing the cooling, strained relationship and distrust between himself and Cassius—an interpersonal (external) conflict, not an internal moral dilemma.