The Complexity Of Brutus In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Think about that favorite novel, movie, or TV show. Are there certain characters who are more engaging? Maybe it is because the character is complex, in contrast to that aggravating, perfect protagonist. This is the case with Marcus Brutus in William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Not only is Brutus arguably the most complex character in the entire play, but he is also flawed. Shakespeare develops the complexity of Brutus, the quintessence of humanity’s weaknesses, in order to create a relatable character. Brutus struggles with naivety, and this in turn develops Brutus into the character Shakespeare desires him to be. Being naive can be defined as lacking in experience, wisdom, or judgement. The trait is shown to the audience

In the following passage, Cassius and Brutus are speaking an aside to each other after Brutus allows Mark Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral: “Know you how much the people may be moved / By which that he will utter? / BRUTUS By your pardon, / I will myself into the pulpit first / And show the reason of our Caesar’s death” (JC. 3. 1. 258-262). A few things can be seen about Brutus’s analytical skills in this passage. First, Brutus is rash, for he rejects Cassius’s advice swiftly and without a second thought. And second, he believes that he knows what conditions Mark Antony needs to follow. Brutus decides that Mark Antony will speak from the same platform after he himself justifies Caesar’s death. The audience realizes that this decision is not wise. When Mark Antony delivers a powerful speech using eloquent rhetoric, the crowd is even more influenced by Antony’s speech simply because of the arrangement. Not only did Antony give a more powerful speech, but it resonates greater with the Romans because it is the last thing they hear before they are called to action. Brutus manages to make costly mistakes, but Shakespeare uses this human trait in his