In Act II, what evidence showed that Brutus and Caesar could have been influenced by flattery?

There is very clear evidence of Brutus and Caesar being
flattered and giving in to flattery in Act II of this play. Flattery and speech used to
manipulate other characters is a key feature of this play and we see this throughout the
play.

In Act II scene 1, for example, when Cassius and the
other conspirators arrive at Brutus' house for their meeting to plot the death of
Caesar, Cassius greets Brutus with the following
words:

...and
no man here

But honours you; and every one doth
wish

You had but that opinion of
yourself

Which every noble Roman bears of
you.

This is an extension of
the "seduction scene" in Act I scene 2, where Cassius flattered Brutus mercilessly. It
also supports Cassius' strategy of leaving documents around in Brutus' house, supposedly
written by other noble Romans who say how much they admire and respect Brutus. I can't
help but think that Brutus at this stage is pretty much a tool in the hands of Cassius -
he is manipulated to join the plot.

Of course, in Act II
scene ii, Caesar is likewise manipulated by Decius, who is very sure of his ability to
persuade Caesar to do his will, as he shares with the other conspirators in Act II scene
i. After Calphurnia has apparently succeeded in persuading Caesar to stay at home and
not go to the Capitol, Decius re-interprets her dream in a "good" way and then subtly
hints that if Caesar does not go he will lose his chance to gain the crown, saying that
the Senate will think him weak:

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If Caesar hide himself, shall they not
whisper

"Lo, Caesar is
afraid"?

Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear
love

To your proceeding bids me tell you
this,

And reason to my love is
liable.

Note how wily Decius
is being here - he says it is only his "dear dear love" which causes him to suggest such
thoughts to Caesar, but also taps into Caesar's desire to receive the crown and gain
more power.

So both characters are very definitely
persuaded and flattered in Act II by others for their own purposes and
motives.