Why is the aside, or speech, that Cassius makes to Brutus in Act III scene 1 before Antony’s speech important in Julius Caesar?An aside is a...

This is a crucial moment in the play, as actually the
tragedy that faces the conspirators could have been averted if Brutus had followed the
advice that Cassius gives to him in this aside. It is important to note that throughout
the play, it is Cassius that is depicted as being canny and a good judge of character.
Brutus is presented as being somewhat naive and believing in the power of good
intentions. Cassius in this aside recognises the power that Antony has with "the mob,"
the Roman populace, and also his skill in rhetoric and thus counsels Brutus to not let
him address the crowd:

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You know not what you do; do not
consent

That Antony speak in his
funeral.

Know you how much the peaople may be
moved

By that which he will
utter?

Cassius, himself an
able manipulator of others through speech, is aware of the harm and damage Antony could
cause through his words, and thus hopes to avert a possible backlash against the
conspirators by preventing Antony from speaking. Remember too that Cassius had actually
advised that Antony should be murdered along with Caesar, but Brutus, in a response that
shows how he underestimated Antony's character, refused. This is yet another example of
how Brutus, perhaps through his innocence and belief in goodness, ignores advice that is
actually very shrewd and would have helped him greatly if he had paid attention to
it.