l. 32-34.—Rapidly, as the passion of the men rises.
l. 35-36.—Now Cassius begins to threaten.
l. 37.—There is no anger in this. Brutus knows that Cassius is beside himself, and brushes him aside as one would brush an insignificant dust speck from his clothing.
l. 38.—Such treatment Cassius cannot understand. The line is exclamatory rather than interrogative. It is equivalent to, Can I believe my ears?
l. 38.—Brutus now begins to assert himself. It is a new aspect of his character, which we can comprehend only when we learn, as we do later, that Portia is dead.
l. 40.—Brutus must be greatly moved to call his dearest friend a madman.
l. 41.—The strain of listening to such words is becoming too great for Cassius to bear.
l. 42.—Brutus seems almost to enjoy the terrible lesson he is reading Cassius. It is well-nigh incredible that the thoughtful, loving husband of Portia, and the considerate master of Lucius, should speak thus to any one, let alone his best friend.
l. 50.—There seems to be no feeling but surprise in this, surprise verging on bewilderment. As Brutus grows more passionate Cassius seems to subside.
l. 51-54.—It is Brutus now who appears to lose self-control. Cassius never said he was a better soldier.