<P> Et tu, Brute? (pronounced (ɛt ˈtuː ˈbruːtɛ)) is a Latin phrase meaning "and you, Brutus?", made famous by its occurrence in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, where it is uttered by the Roman dictator Julius Caesar to his friend Marcus Brutus at the moment of the former's assassination . The Latin expression first occurs in Elizabethan literary texts . The quotation is widely used in the English - speaking world to signify the unexpected betrayal by a person, such as a friend . </P> <P> Caesar utters these words in Act III, scene 2, as he is being stabbed to death, having recognized his friend and protégé Brutus among the assassins . However, there is no evidence that the historic Caesar had ever spoken these words . </P>

As caesar is stabbed who says et tu brute