In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus is faced with a life changing dilemma. He must choose between killing his closest friend for the good of the roman people, or allowing him to live at the cost of many other people’s happiness. Some believe that Brutus should not have killed Julius Caesar, while others believe he should have killed Caesar. I believe that Brutus should have killed Caesar for three reasons: Caesar was too ambitious, The fate of an entire empire should not belong to one man, and It would be selfish of Brutus not to kill Caesar.
One reason why I believe that Brutus should have killed Caesar is that he was too ambitious. Before Julius Caesar became dictator over the roman people, he was a roman general, which required him to be ruthless and ambitious in-order for him to succeed and advance through the ranks. This may have been a decent quality for when he was a gallant soldier, but it would not have been a praise-worthy quality if he were to become ruler over the roman empire. Rome would need a selfless leader, who would put the well-being of others above his own. This was something Julius Caesar was lacking in immensely.
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Long before Caesar was even born, Rome was under the control of a fair and just republic, which was a form of government that was ruled by not one, but several competent, level-minded, politicians. This system had been proven to be quite effective throughout the years and greatly benefited the roman people. If Caesar were to become dictator over the roman people, it would shift the balance of the political party dramatically. Sending the Roman Empire into a crashing wave of never-ending
Caesar would’ve tromped all who stood before him, and ancient Europe would’ve become an ant under Caesar’s boot. If Brutus really did kill Caesar for the good will of Rome, I do not believe he was in any way a bad man, and even proved how strong of a man he was. In most cases, homicides are ugly, heinous crimes. But in a select few instances, they can be not only justifiable, but the overall best outcome of a situation.
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
Brutus is considered an honorable man by all those who live in Rome. He is a close friend of Caesar, husband of Portia, and is also a Senator. Brutus is drawn into killing Caesar by Cassius, who was jealous of Caesar's degree of power. Brutus was pulled into the scheme by letters brought to his house by Decius to make him think that the people of Rome wanted him to replace Caesar. Brutus also feels that Caesar is being given too much power and will destroy Rome's democracy. Brutus' reason for killing Caesar is to benefit Rome, he proves this when he states"If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." After losing to Mark Antony and Octavious, Brutus runs onto his own sword. He sticks to his beliefs, not altering them for others.
When Brutus betrayed Caesar for the good of Rome by killing him, he had no idea that he would regret it later on in his life. Brutus wanted to kill Caesar because he thought that if Caesar became king, he would forget who his real friends are and he would not pay attention to them. He also thought that Caesar would become too powerful and therefore did not want him to be king. This is shown when Portia says, “…Brutus hath a suit / that Caesar will not grant…” (2.4.41-42). Although Brutus had a clear conscience, the people of Rome did not. This eventually led to Brutus being driven out of Rome by the citizens. Not being associated with Rome anymore made Brutus’ life worse and he eventually took his own life as the only way to...
Caesar’s power in Rome was growing, and people were afraid he was going to turn Rome into a monarchy. However, Caesar did not want to be known as a king, but he was appointed dictator for life.
Like Brutus said, he killed Caesar because it was “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 2 Shakespeare). I think that is very noble of him, because if it weren’t for the act of murder, he would most definitely be a hero. If it were not for him not giving Caesar a chance first, he would most definitely be a hero. If it weren’t for his morals being manipulated by another person, he would most definitely be a hero. There is a lot of controversy about the topic and what makes Brutus a hero or villain.
Throughout act II, Brutus faced an internal conflict with himself while deciding if joining the conspiracy to kill Caesar is a good or a bad thing. Personally, I believe that Caesar joining the conspiracy to put an end to Caesar’s vile actions is a good idea. To me, I saw more pros than cons to killing Caesar. Reasons why Brutus joining the conspiracy is for a good reason, are this would keep the people of Rome safe, Caesar has too much power/is dangerous, and Caesar can’t be trusted.
Finally his sudden death was the result of various personal factors that insulted the senators and created hate between Caesar and them, believing his death was expected. His death then led to a domino effect, which ends in the eventual collapse of the Roman Empire. Caesar was assassinated by his own Senate. Julius Caesar had many men conspiring against him with a plot to assassinate him. Among the 60 men plotting to murder him, many were senators, which included Marcus Junius Brutus, Decimus Brutus Albinus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. Brutus believed the death of Caesar would bring the return of the old Roman spirit unfortunately, the city was in shock, and people became increasingly more aggressive, because Caesar was popular with the people of Rome. Unfortunately, peace was impossible and the conspirators fled to
He killed himself so that he wouldn’t be taken prisoner by Antony when his army would lose. He says, “Our enemies have beat us to the pit. It is more worthy to leap in ourselves than tarry till they push us.” (5.5.27-29). Brutus justifies that it is more honorable to be die than be taken prisoner. However, his death was not just effort to prevent this; Brutus was not only scared of being taken prisoner. His death was a means to end all the chaos that had been ignited when he killed Caesar. He recognizes this in his last words: “Caesar now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will.” (5.5.56-57). In these, Brutus finally understands that killing Caesar was a mistake, and he nobly sacrifices himself to end what he started. Brutus also acknowledges that killed Caesar with good intentions, but doesn’t use it as an excuse. His final, honorable act is to pay for his mistake and set things right in Rome. Furthermore, the way in which Brutus kills himself is honorable. He does not force anyone to stab him; he takes responsibility and does it himself. This contrasts with Cassius, who forced someone to kill him. Brutus’ last acts are proof that he was honorable and noble, despite his
These actions clearly show his disloyalty. He decides to enter the conspiracy against Caesar just because Caesar might change if he becomes the king. Instead of considering other options to prevent Caesar’s possible change, like talking to Caesar, Brutus right away thinks Caesar must be killed. This rash decision proves Brutus is not honorable. Later in the play, Caesar follows through on this decision to kill his friend. After Brutus stabs Caesar, Caesar’s last words are, “Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar” (III. i. 45). This quote made by the dying Caesar implies that Brutus’s disloyalty to him is what killed him, not the stabbing by the conspirators. Caesar trusted Brutus, but Brutus turned on Caesar and stabbed him in the back - figuratively and literally. Brutus’s disloyalty to Caesar in the play shows the qualities of an unhonorable
His motivation was completely different from Cassius’ reason, Brutus killed for the good of his Roman people. In his Eulogy, Brutus showed his true feelings after Caesar’s death when he says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, I loved Rome more” (111). Brutus said over and over throughout the entire book that he loved Caesar and cared about him, but he could not bare too see Rome become a dictatorship. Brutus did not care for any other reason to kill Caesar, but to save the fate of Rome from a dictator. He truly believed that he was not doing this for himself or for glory, but for everyone. He did not want any credit for his victory but to save them. Antony expresses, at the end of the novel, how brave and noble Brutus was to all (Even though he is on the opposing side) when he says, “This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the rest of the conspirators acted out of jealousy of great Caesar. Only he acted from honesty and for the general good. His life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man” (197). Not just Cassius, but even Antony and Augustus finally realized his true motive to the murder. Brutus was a friend to all. Friend and foe. He did not want to inflict pain on anyone except for Caesar. He did not kill for glory or fame, but to help every Roman there was. Brutus was a true Roman that wanted to help
Brutus broods how, “It must be by his death, and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general” (Shakespeare 17). This reveals that Brutus believes Rome’s problems are because of Caesar, interpreting that he expects Caesar’s death will be for the best of Rome’s people. However Brutus killed for Rome and not himself, only one with true honorable love for his home would do such a thing.In this case not only for the people but Rome as whole he puts before himself promising him as honorable. Brutus proclaims he, “Will bear no color for the thing he is, fashion it thus, that what he is , augmented,Would run to these and the extremities;And therefore think him as serpent's egg Which hatch'd would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell”(Shakespeare 17) This exhibits how Brutus sees Caesar as dangerous justifying his actions. Connoting he sees Caesar as a predator and Rome as the prey, yet he hasn’t attacked so Brutus must intervene before he does so. Brutus sees Caesar appearing like an enemy of Rome’s citizens and he would anything to protect
Brutus shows his honorability among the other conspirators. When he becomes the leader of the conspiracy, he suggests that they kill Caesar for the benefit of Rome, not out of hatred or selfless means. Brutus says to Cassius, “Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Caius… And, gentle friends, let’s kill him boldly but not wrathfully. Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds,” (II.i.173, 178-181). Brutus respected Caesar and was his friend, therefore he believes they should honor him in his death. Brutus wanted to kill Caesar in order to prevent his country from becoming a
William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, was mainly based on the assassination of Julius Caesar. The character who was the mastermind behind the assassination was, ironically, Marcus Brutus, a senator and close friend to Julius Caesar. But what would cause a person to kill a close friend? After I examined Brutus' relationship towards Caesar, his involvement in the conspiracy and his importance to the plot it all became clear. Brutus had one particular reason for killing Caesar and that was for the good of the people and the republic. Brutus had no personal reason for killing Caesar. Some of his most admirable traits were his morality and leadership skills.
Caesar would have killed many people, and all for what? More power. Brutus would have done anything for the sake of his city. Even if that meant killing his friend. “Nor that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (III.ii.23-24) A good leader would put his city/empires problems and demands before himself. Sometimes to fix a problem you need to fix it at the roots. This came from his heart and was honest. If Brutus actually hated Caesar, he would have struck him first. However, Brutus was one of the last people to stab Caesar and one of the last to agree to the conspiracy. It took a lot of convincing from Cassius who admired Brutus a great deal. He would always keep telling Brutus how he was the better leader than Caesar and how his plan would truly