"And just as one can speak of Caesar’s hubris, so one can speak of BrutusÖ" In this passage, Brutus’ own pompous attitude is being compared with that of Caesar. Caesar is characterized as one who is overconfident and self-conceited, this being his tragic flaw. Brutus carries about an attitude quite similar. He is proud of his righteousness and virtue, and "confident of his statesmanship and of his military ability." In other words, he considers himself to be a citizen of the highest quality, doing the best that can be done.
This nobility, however, is contradicted by the fact that Brutus is oblivious to the purposes of Cassius. When Cassius tries to get Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar, "he [Brutus] is putty in Cassius’ hands." Brutus’ strengths are also tested when as a general he plays into Octavius’ hands. And yet this character flaw Brutus possesses, being a person who is easily convinced and absent-mindedly converted, is ignored and "scarcely called into question." His mind is still considered grand and honorable, with his similarities to Caesar going unnoticed. In fact, his nobility is one of the reasons Cassius can manipulate him so easily.
These character flaws Brutus possesses are mildly explored in the second scene of Julius Caesar. Here, Shakespeare has begun to introduce the traits that define who Brutus really is and what role he carries in the play. For this reason, the passage discussed is important. Not only does it make comparisons between the two characters worthy of being the tragic hero, but it also questions the actual nobility of Brutus’ mind.