Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
[PORTIA.] You’ve ungently, Brutus,
Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper
You suddenly arose, and walked about
Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
And when I asked you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks.
I urged you further; then you scratched your head,
And too impatiently stamped with your foot.
Yet I insisted, yet you answered not,
But with an angry wafture of your hand
Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour,
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And could it work so much upon your shape
As it hath much prevailed on your condition,
I should not know you Brutus. Dear my lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
BRUTUS. I am not well in health, and that is all.
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.
BRUTUS. Kneel not, gentle Portia. . . .
You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart.
What external conflict does Portia want Brutus to reveal to her?
the struggle in his heart that is making him ill
the reasons he is weighing for not sharing his concern with her
the cause for men to be lurking in darkness and what possible threat they pose to Portia and Brutus
the attitudes he holds about their marriage and his beliefs about his vows