Meaning of et tu, Brute | Babel Free

Definitions

"You too, Brutus" or "even you, Brutus"; expressing a recognition of betrayal.

Equivalents

Examples

“[Prince Edward:] Et tu Brute, wilt thou stab Cæsar too? A parlie sirra to George of Clarence.”

“[Casca stabs Cæsar in the Neck. Cæsar catches hold⟳ of his Arm. He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators, and at last⟳ by Marcus Brutus.] Cæsar: Et Tu Brute?—Then fall⟳, Cæsar. [Dies. The senators and people retire⟳ in confusion.]”

“And that is the reason⟳ why a young buck with an intelligent looking calf's head before him, is somehow one of the saddest sights you can see⟳. The head looks a sort⟳ of reproachfully at him, with an “Et tu Brute!” expression.”

““Oh, Gilbert, not you,” implored Anne, in an et-tu Brute tone. “I thought you would understand⟳. Can’t you see⟳ how awful it is?””

“Barney Custer turned his incredulous eyes upon the lieutenant. “Et tu, Brute?” he cried in anguished accents, letting his head fall⟳ back into the girl’s lap. He found it very comfortable there indeed.”

“But according to the Oxford editor of Julius Caesar, ‘Et tu, Brute’ had probably already become⟳ a popular tag by the time of True Tragedy [see⟳ 1591 cite], readily understood by English speakers just as it is today.”

“"Et tu, Brute?" (3.1.76). This familiar but strange, strangely familiar, anachronistic foreign language at the heart of Julius Caesar is the only Latin in all of Shakespeare's so-called Roman plays.”

CEFR level