Despite the fact that he opposed Caesar , Favonius , like Cicero , was not invited by Brutus and Cassius to participate in the plot to assassinate Caesar in 44 BC . In his '' Life of Brutus '' , Plutarch wrote , Favonius is the character known as the Poet who appears in Act IV Scene III of William Shakespeare 's play '' Julius Caesar '' . Shakespeare took the details of this scene from Plutarch 's '' Parallel Lives '' , in which , on Brutus ' journey to Sardis , Plutarch writes that Brutus and Cassius fell into a dispute in an apartment ( Shakespeare assigns this scene to Brutus ' tent ) , which ultimately led to their sharing angry words and both of them bursting in tears . Their friends attempted to break into the room to see what the dispute was about and forestall any mischief , but were prevented from doing so by a number of attendants . Favonius , however , was not to be stopped . According to Plutarch , In Shakespeare 's version of this encounter in '' Julius Caesar '' , Favonius ' opening lines in his role as Poet are : POET . Within '' Let me go in to see the generals ; There is some grudge between 'em , 't is not meet they be alone . '' Forcing his way into Brutus ' tent , he addresses Brutus and Cassius : POET . '' For shame , you generals ! what do you mean ? Love , and be friends , as two such men should be ; For I have seen more years , I 'm sure , than ye . '' To which , Cassius replies : CASSIUS . '' Ha , ha ! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme ! '' and Brutus drives him from his tent . Here Shakespeare departs from Plutarch 's account of the scene , as Favonius does not feature in Brutus and Cassius ' subsequent drinking bout
plot to assassinate Caesar
Assassination of Julius Caesar
Marcus Favonius