Julius Caesar: Is Brutus A Hero Or A Villain?

Is Brutus a Hero or a Villain? In “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar’ ’William Shakespeare portrays a history fictional play about the end of Julius Caesar’s tyranny. Brutus, one of the main players who was involved in the conspiracy is portrayed in many different roles one as a hero and one as a villain. But which role suits him the best? Through the relationship between Caesar, the people of Rome and Brutus, Brutus is portrayed as a hero because of his nobility towards his actions. In “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Brutus is talking to himself determining if he should be a part of the conspiracy and kill Caesar on the ides of March. He says to himself “It must be by his death and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him? –

Cassius orders Pindarus to kill him and he does what he is ordered to. A few conspirators are now left including Brutus on the battlefield. Brutus tells the conspirators “Our enemies have beat us to the pit. It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know’st that we two went to school together: Even for that our love of old, I prithee Hold thou my sword- hilts, whilst I run on it.”(Caesar, 5.5.23-28). This statement portrays that Brutus understands that they are losing this battle against Antony and Octavius so he tells the conspirators our enemies have beaten us to the ground. He says at this point is honorable to kill ourselves than to wait for Antony or Octavius to kill us. He tells Volumnius to hold his sword while he runs on it. Brutus portrays an act of nobility by being an honorable person to Antony and killing himself before Antony kills