Examples Of Dishonorable In Julius Caesar

Emmaleah Mayer
Mrs. Nicholson
Pre-AP English 10
14 July 2017
The Dishonorable Man of Rome
What makes a person dishonorable? Dishonorable is defined as bringing shame or disgrace on someone or something. In Julius Caesar Brutus does not stand with his morals when he is asked to help take part in the murder of Caesar. Secondly, Brutus agrees to murder one of his closest friends. Finally, Brutus murders Caesar then goes to kill himself as well so that he does not have to suffer the outcome which makes him even more dishonorable. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Marcus Brutus is not an honorable man because he betrayed his country and his dearest friend.
Brutus is a dishonorable man because he let Cassius influence him and that caused Brutus to go against his morals. In act 1 scene 2 Cassius brings the idea of taking over Rome instead of Caesar to Brutus’ attention. Toward the end of the scene Cassius has the idea that he will continue to persuade Brutus by writing fake letters and throwing them at his window at night. “Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our

stars But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Caesar—what should be in that “Caesar”? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name.” (Act 1, Scene 2, 140-147). Cassius is trying to convince Brutus that it is in everyone's best interest for him to murder Caesar. Also, Cassius is trying to lead Brutus to believe that it is his fate to become to leader of Rome. Before Brutus was ever proselytized by Cassius he actually thought Caesar was a superior ruler but, Brutus did not stand up for what he believed in which makes him dishonorable.
Along with Brutus not standing up for what he believed in he also agreed to take the life of his own compatriot. Brutus addresses the town that he murdered Caesar. “People and senators, be not affrighted. Fly not. Stand still. Ambition’s debt is paid.” (Act 3, Scene 2, 90-91). After Brutus murders Caesar he tells the senators along with everyone else in Rome that he was the one who assassinated him. Brutus says that he killed him because he was becoming too ambitious. Yet, it makes him look honorable because he put Rome’s intentions first he still killed his friend which is not honorable. Brutus taking part in the act of killing his close friend makes him extremely dishonorable.
In the long run after Brutus kills Caesar he commits suicide so that he would not have to suffer the consequences which shows how dishonorable he truly is.

On the other hand some people may believe that he is honorable. Some may say that Brutus had the best interest of Rome in mind while he murdered Caesar. Also, some might try and argue that Brutus would have made a better ruler and that is why is chose to do this act. What these arguments fail to consider is the fact that Brutus failed to stand up for his morals, agrees to take the life of a dear friend, and he goes to kill himself because he is too afraid to face the consequences. Brutus is a dishonorable man because he allows Cassius to make him go against his morals. Another thing is that he shows his weakness by going and not facing the consequences that came with his

decisions.
The character Brutus in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is not a honorable man. Brutus allows Cassius to manipulate him into going against everything he believes in. Secondly, Brutus allows himself to kill a dear friend he has had for years. Finally, Brutus does not accept his wrong doings so he kills himself to get out of what comes next. Do you think Brutus showed he is honorable by putting Rome first or did his actions line up to show he was a dishonorable citizen?