Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar. PORTIA. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, He would embrace the
means to come by it. . . . You have some sick offence within your mind Which by the right and virtue of my place, I ought to know of. And upon my knees, I charm you by my once-commended beauty, By all your vows of love, and that great vow Which did incorporate and make us one, That you unfold to me, your self, your half, Why you are heavy, and what men tonight Have had resort to you—for here have been Some six or seven, who did hide their faces Even from darkness. What is the best summary of this monologue? Portia says that if Brutus were simply sick, he would do something to get better. As his wife and other half, she pleads with him to tell her what is on his mind. Then she inquires about the men who were sneaking around their house. Portia pleads with Brutus and says that she deserves to know what is wrong, because they have taken that “great vow.” Portia reminds Brutus that he owes it to her, his wife, to treat her like his other half. Portia tells Brutus that his body is healthy, but that he is mentally ill. She reminds him that, as his wife and other half, she will stick by him, no matter what happens.
