Shakespeare · Soliloquies & Solo Speeches
Production Notes
Brutus addresses the Roman mob directly after Caesar’s assassination — in prose, deliberately, because he wants to be understood by everyone. He offers a rational argument for why Caesar had to die: not from hatred, but from love of Rome. His logic is impeccable and his self-presentation is sincere. Antony’s speech, which follows, will undo everything Brutus builds here.
The speech is a masterclass in the rhetoric of sincerity — and the limits of sincerity as political strategy. Players who play Brutus as genuinely believing every word will find the tragedy underneath: a good man undone by his confidence in reason.
Script
BRUTUS
Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge. 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. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him. As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As he was valiant, I honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
Facilitator Notes
Warm-up: Practice the three-part parallel — “As he was X, I did Y.” Let Players compose their own parallel sentences before working Brutus’s.
Debrief prompts:
- Brutus speaks in prose to a crowd accustomed to being addressed in verse by their betters. What does that choice signal?
- The rhetorical questions at the end — “Who is here so base…” — are designed to silence opposition. How does a Player perform a question that expects no answer?
- Brutus says “I pause for a reply.” The crowd answers in his favor. What does that moment ask of the Player?
- Knowing Antony’s speech follows, how does that change a Player’s delivery of this one?