Brutus Motives

Marcus Brutus, Caesar’s noble friend, joined the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar because of his love for Rome. The Lives of the Greeks and Romans gives a very good description of Brutus; it was not far off what Shakespeare describes Brutus as. Plutarch described Brutus as

A marvelous lowly and gentle person, noble minded, and would never be in any rage, nor carried away with pleasure and covetousness; but had ever an upright mind with him, and would never yield to any wrong or injustice. (p. 139)

Brutus was a very respected and honest man. Casca, one of the conspirators, said that he was very respected by the people by saying “O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, And that which would appear offence in us, His countenance,

Brutus wants to assassinate Caesar for the good of Rome. The other conspirators are all doing it for their own selfish reasons. Brutus’ motives, for joining the conspirators, indicate that he was very public-minded and morally conscientious. When Brutus says “But for the general. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature, there’s the question:” (II, i, l 12-14) He was stating that it will be for the good of Rome to assassinate Caesar. Also he did not want their assassination to seem too gruesome, this shows he was morally conscientious. When Cassius said that they should also kill Antony, Brutus says “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius”. (II, ii, l 162)

Brutus was very smart and quick. He did not let anyone lead him on. An example of this was when Cassius first started to try to get Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius has just finished flattering him when Brutus says, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me?” (I, ii, l

When Brutus says, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him,” (II, i, l 11) he states that he has no personal motive to kill him. He also says that his desires over-ruled his reasons when he says “I have not known when his affections sway’d More than his reason.” (II, i, l 20-21) He also cannot hold Caesar responsible for abusing his power. He proves this when he says “common proof”. (II, i, l 21) The only proof Brutus has for Caesar abusing his power is common knowledge.

Throughout the play, Brutus becomes more and more convinced that he is correct and doing the right thing. This was one of Brutus’ major faults. By thinking this, Brutus believes that nobody will think different. This was his basis for leaving Antony alive. This is one of the conspiracy’s chief mistakes. Antony later becomes their greatest problem.