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All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 4Scene 2
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Brutus and Stoicism
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Act 4,
Scene 2
Lines 195-201

An explanation of Brutus’ adoption of the philosophy of Stoicism in Act 4, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Cassius

I did not think you could have been so angry.

Brutus

O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs.

Cassius

Of your philosophy you make no use
If you give place to accidental evils.

Brutus

No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.

Cassius

What! Portia?

Brutus

She is dead.

Brutus has claimed to have adopted the Stoic approach to life. One of the central principles of Stoicism is that you must not let yourself be emotionally affected by the misfortunes of life, whether they be by chance or predestined by Fate.