ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -“Et tu, Brute?” – “You too, Brutus?” is what Shakespeare has Caesar say in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Except, Caesar never said these words. And Brutus was neither his closest friend nor his biggest betrayer, not by a long shot.

Detailed explanation-2: -These words are spoken by Caesar when Brutus along with other conspirators stabs Caesar. Caesar was stabbed in the Senate House and Brutus too stabs him. Caesar had not expected Brutus to behave in such a treacherous manner. As he tries to defend himself, with his broken heart, he says ‘Et tu Brute’.

Detailed explanation-3: -These words come from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, which includes the Roman ruler Caesar’s murder by a group of senators in 44 BCE. The senators were led by Marcus Brutus (Brute), who had been a close friend of Caesar.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Latin brutus, “heavy, dull, or stupid, ” gave rise to brute, which through the 15th century only referred to animals.

Detailed explanation-5: -Cowards die many times before their deaths, The valiant never taste of death but once. Et tu, Brute?-Then fall, Caesar.