How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #7
CASSIUS
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
BRUTUS
Grant that, and then is death a benefit.
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords. (3.1.113-119)
After stabbing Caesar in the back (and the guts, arms, legs, and chest), Cassius and Brutus reason that they've done their pal a favor: now that Caesar's dead, he no longer has to worry about dying. Then Brutus has another good idea – the conspirators should wash their hands in their friend's blood to signal that they've freed Rome from tyranny.
Quote #8
BRUTUS
If there be any in this assembly, any dear
friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love
to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend
demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my
answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. (3.2.19-24)
According to Brutus, his decision to assassinate Caesar came down to a choice between his love for Rome and his love for his friend. Does Brutus' sense of patriotism justify his decision to kill his friend?
Quote #9
CASSIUS
Strike as thou didst at Caesar, for I know
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him
better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. (4.3.116-119)
Cassius sure knows how to fight dirty. When he argues heatedly with Brutus, he throws Brutus' betrayal of Caesar in his friend's face and accuses Brutus of not loving him (Cassius) as much as he loved the man he helped kill. As nasty as he is, we think Cassius raises a valid point. How is one supposed to feel about his so-called pals when best friends think nothing of killing each other over political matters?