These words are contained in Brutus' response to a question by Cassius in Act 1, Scene 2. Cassius approached Brutus, stating that he looked troubled. Brutus, in reply, said he was at war with himself and meant no disrespect. Cassius then flattered him and mentioned that he would act as Brutus' mirror, showing him who he really was - an honourable and respected citizen.
At this point, they heard a clamour. Brutus then said:
What...
These words are contained in Brutus' response to a question by Cassius in Act 1, Scene 2. Cassius approached Brutus, stating that he looked troubled. Brutus, in reply, said he was at war with himself and meant no disrespect. Cassius then flattered him and mentioned that he would act as Brutus' mirror, showing him who he really was - an honourable and respected citizen.
At this point, they heard a clamour. Brutus then said:
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
At this, Cassius asked:
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus replied:
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 love
The name of honour more than I fear death.
Two rhetorical devices are used in this excerpt. The first is ethos, which refers to the moral element which determines a character's actions. Brutus is referring to honour and deems it of greater importance than the risk of death. His actions will be determined by his desire for honour more than his fear of death.
Secondly, juxtaposition is used, which refers to the act of placing two ideas or things side by side for effect. Brutus measures honour against death and says that if he should see the two next to one another, he would be quite phlegmatic and, therefore, unconcerned about either. However, if he should have to make a choice, he would easily choose honour for he loves it more than he fears death.
These words indicate the depth of Brutus' moral character. He is prepared to risk his life for good. If he should perform an act which brings honour not only to himself but to Rome, he would do so without fear. Brutus' response to the devious Cassius' question provides Cassius with the assurance that he can appeal to Brutus' high moral standards and Brutus' love for Rome to assist him in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
It is for this reason that Cassius later speaks about Caesar's frailty and compares Caesar to them. Cassius points out that Caesar will subjugate them and that all Rome would be enslaved, for Caesar would become a tyrant. He is quite convincing and Brutus later states that:
What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
Brutus confirms his loyalty to Rome and essentially repeats what he already stated. It is clear he wishes to know more about Cassius' plans. The two later decide to meet, and the plot to be rid of Caesar grows.
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