Brutus is in his garden and he has now decided that he must kill Caesar. It says, “It must be by his death.” I think that the ‘it’ is the tyranny that Caesar could bring to Rome if he was made king. He thinks that if Caesar was king, it would not be good for the people below him or for the people that are his enemies.

Cassius has sent a letter through Brutus’ window. It says “Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself!” The letter says that Brutus should be king because he is he descendant of Tarquinius Superbus, the last King of Rome. The letter was thrown so that Brutus could join their cause. He would make them look respectable. Not like a group of bandits or criminals.

Cassius comes to Brutus’ house and brings with him Decius, Casca, Cinna and Metellus Cimber. Brutus says, “Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.” This quote means that they wish to kill Caesar but not like animals killing their prey. Their way of doing it should be like they are killing Caesar for the people and not for their own reasons.

They decide to kill him “by the eighth hour.” Meanwhile, Portia has become suspicious of Brutus and what he is doing in the middle of the night with strange men. He doesn’t sleep in the same bed as her.

Caius Ligarius comes knocking on Brutus’ door. He wants to join the cause and is very enthusiastic about doing it. They’re planning on going to Caesar’ house now.