In act 3, scene 1 of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the Roman ruler Julius Caesar is betrayed by one of his most trusted friends, Brutus, who, along with fellow conspirators, stabs Caesar to death. Right before he dies, Caesar says, "Et tu, Brute?" This is a Latin phrase that means "And you, Brutus?" It is used as a cultural touchstone to this day, signifying a betrayal by a close friend or a loved one.
Exasperated, shocked, and betrayed, Caesar simply cannot believe that a man like Brutus, someone whom he trusted and considered a good and loyal friend, would conspire behind his back in order to kill him, thus ending Caesar's reign. This is why the phrase is also sometimes understood to mean "Even you, Brutus?" The point is that Brutus is the last person that Caesar would have expected to turn his back on him or do anything harmful...
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to him.
Some scholars and literary critics argue that Caesar might have actually said those words as a warning, as he was trying to warn Brutus that a similar fate awaits him—he, too, will meet his downfall soon. Brutus is even visited by Caesar's ghost, who tells Brutus that his death is near. Indeed, after losing the battle at Philippi, Brutus takes his own life by running against his sword.
What is the significance of the statement "Et tu, Brute" in Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is based on an historical event, the assassination of Julius Caesar by a group of conspirators who wished to restore the Roman Republic, rather than seeing Rome turn into an Empire. Because the rebels have agreed to act in concert, they all stab Caesar so that they will all share equally in responsibility for his death.
Brutus is torn between personal friendship for Caesar, who was his mentor, and his moral commitment to a more fair form of government. He reasons that it is precisely because Julius Caesar is a decent person and good ruler that he is most likely to succeed in establishing a despotic form of government and thus needs to be killed, despite being a friend.
When the conspirators stab Caesar, Brutus is last and Caesar utters the famous phrase "Et tu, Brute" (Latin meaning "And you also, Brutus"), indicating that he is shocked and saddened by seeing his friend and protege stab him as well as people he knew to be enemies.
Why did Caesar say "Et tu, Brute" in Julius Caesar?
Brutus was Caesar's best friend. Mark Antony reminds the citizens of that fact in his funeral oration.
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him.
The line "For when the noble Caesar saw him stab" was probably intended to be recited with a strong emphasis on the word "him."
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab
According to Shakespeare's version of the assassination, Caesar tries desperately to save himself when the conspirators converge around him and began stabbing him repeatedly with swords and daggers. But when Brutus, who has been hanging back, steps forward and stabs him one time, Caesar gives up all resistance and says:
Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!
He is saying, in effect, that if even his best friend Brutus is against him, he has no chance of saving himself--and doesn't even want to save himself. (At this point he may remember the Soothsayer's warnings to "Beware the Ides of March.") The Latin words "Et tu, Brute?" ("Even you, Brutus!") are meant as a reproach as well as an expression of Caesar's realization that he is doomed. Of course, it is important to remember that while Shakespeare has Caesar say this line in the play, there is no actual historical evidence to suggest that those were Caesar's real last words.