Loyalty and honor, those two things may seem similar but often in life they can create many inner conflicts and can get in the way for the greater good of others. In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Shakespeare willfully constructs a character by the name of Brutus who is often faced with the serious dilemma of whether to be loyal to a long time friend or honor his great country of Rome by getting rid of his long time friend. He makes the choice of honor for the greater good of his beloved country. His leadership, restraint and honor make him a very important commodity. Throughout the story restraint is a major characteristic Brutus uses in order to make the right choices. Brutus does not like to let temptations get to him and …show more content…
he does a good job of not letting his friends get taken over by temptations either. “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut off the head and then hack the limbs” (2.2.113-4). Brutus is all for making Rome a better place and he told himself and the rest of the conspirators that he will only kill, if and only if it is for the betterment of Rome not because of the satisfaction of slaughter. This shows the restraint and leadership that he has that makes him focused only on the fact that what he does is for the sake of others not himself. He believed that he only did what had to be done and killed Julius for the people, but not everyone was as good at keeping away from temptations as he was “Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What, shall one of us that struck the foremost man of all this world but for tolerating dishonesty, shall we now contaminate our fingers with base bribes” (4.3.124-5). Due to the amount of respect and love that Cassius got from the Roman people for the aid of the death of Caesar he was offered many bribe which he did not hesitate to accept those bribes. Brutus is offered just as Much bribes, maybe even more, but his restraint caused him to deny those offers because his main attention if to help Rome and not himself. Shakespeare portrays Brutus is the only man with honor out of all the conspirators. The key to success is knowing that there is a tide in everything, being able to recognize when they reach their peak, and seizing the opportunities that it affords.
Brutus is a hero amongst heros, “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures” (4.3.217-21). Although Brutus had his own morals and opinions about certain thing he would always set them aside and never let it get in the way with the fact that he only does what he does for Rome and only Rome. Not many people can do that in his situation but the honor he has for his country is more than enough for him to be able to hurt himself for the sake of others. His honor and nobleness can often make him naive leading to hypocrisy. He never lets his emotions affect his decisions and this has hurt and helped Rome in many ways, “But 'tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend”(2.1.134-7). Brutus is known to be an honorable character because he always makes decisions that others couldn’t. He was not afraid of the consequences because he was so honorable that he was willing to suffer the most …show more content…
painful sufferings just so he could see Rome even remotely become a better place. It was not easy for Brutus to just go ahead and kill Caesar.
Caesar was a faithful friend to him and he later goes on to explain that it was “Not that [Brutus] loved Caesar less, but [Brutus] loved Rome more”(3.1.270-3). To Brutus it was all about reasoning and finding a better way to create a Roman dream where everyone can live in peace and equality, even if it was at the cost of aiding in the killing of one of his best friends. His actions were necessary and essential for the sake of the Roman people. Brutus says “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him”(3.2.87-9). Brutus was not happy with the thought of killing his own friend but the fact that he set his emotions aside to help others shows that he is a true hero to the Roman community. If it weren't for his leadership and honor Rome may have fallen into a more destructive society with people believing many false accusations about their leader being a
god. Brutus is the most sophisticated and confusing of the characters in this tragic play. He is dignified of his reputation for honor and nobleness, but he is not always practical, and is more often than not, very naive. He is the only major character in the play intensely committed to fashioning his behavior to fit a strict moral and ethical code, but he take actions that are unconsciously hypocritical, and is just a man who has nobly accepted his fate, good or bad he would do anything for Rome, the country he will forever cherish.
Brutus, a senator in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, claims the life of Julius Caesar in order to preserve Rome, his country and home. He puts aside his love for his comrade; Caesar to do what he felt was best. Both of these characters, Creon and Brutus, clearly felt compelled to do what each felt was preeminent for their country.
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
Brutus was a very selfish and self-centered person. He continually ignored Cassius’ and the conspirators’ ideas. He was the leader and everyone was supposed to go along with them. Not to mention that all of his decisions went against Cassius and they were all the wrong moves. Brutus refused to admit that he was wrong or listen to other people.
During Caesar’s funeral, he is very respectful to those who mourn and sends his condolences to those who are very lost without their leader. In addition, Brutus knows how hurt Mark Antony is by Caesar’s death, so Brutus lets him speak at his funeral. Also,Cassius theorizes that Mark Antony may be dangerous and that they should kill him along with Caesar. However, Brutus declines his proposal because he thinks that Mark Antony is not a bad man and also thinks that he will have nothing left when his leader is dead. Casca says, “Oh, he sits high in all peoples hearts, and that which would appear offense in us, his countenance, like the richest alchemy, will change to virtue and to worthiness” (I.iii.159-162), this quote basically means that because of his honor, that he was very respected and loved by the people of Rome. Furthermore, Brutus’ honor and respect shows to all the citizens in Rome and he is mainly well known by these two traits. Overall, Brutus perfectly fits into all the categories that define a hero. Brutus is a true inspiration, not only to me, but to everyone who reads the
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.
Brutus was a supporter of the republic as well as Caesar’s truthful friend. However much he loved Caesar, he opposed the fact that a single man ruled Rome and he feared Caesar would rise to hold that power. Brutus was a good leader. He was truthful and honourable. Brutus tries to justify his reason for killing Caesar and he says
Brutus was a loving friend of Julius Caesar and wished anything but death on his comrade, but his love and dedication to the majestic city of Rome would force him to commit anything. He fights a war to defend Rome from a king or emperor's tyrannical rule. When the war was over, even his enemies saw that he was the most respectable Roman of them all. This (Brutus' body) was the noblest Roman of them all. All conspirators, save only he did what they did in envy of great Caesar....
Brutus cares for everyone in Rome and want the best. “He would be crowned: / How that might change his nature, there's the / question / It is the bright day that brings forth the adder” (2.1.12-15). Brutus wants to see Rome stay in its current form and Caesar could destroy everything that Rome has accomplished. He only wants to keep Rome great and Caesar could destroy the country if he got the crown and he cares for everyone in Rome . Brutus’ idealism controls how he thinks and acts. “Stoop, Romans, stoop, / And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood / Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords / Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, / And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads, / Let's all cry "Peace, freedom, and liberty!" (3.1.117-122). To rejoice that Rome is safe now and prevent panic, Brutus says to run around with the blood because it would be ideal. By revealing they killed Caesar is an ideal act to say they saved rome. Brutus thinks Rome is ideal without Caesar and is safer and a better place without him, Like Cassius, Brutus’ friendship is important to him, and leads friends. “That I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well” (1.2.88). Brutus loves his friends, even Caesar, but will do anything to save Rome. Brutus is ineffective when listening to his friends, he does not take their advice and it ends up killing him. Brutus being one the noblest Roman leads his friends using effective and ineffective ways of leading
An honorable man and one respected among the common folk of his country. However, Brutus is plagued with decisions many are not forced to make. His best friend is a threat to the country he loves, leaving him lost and susceptible to the influence of those whom he should never trust. While Brutus is unsure of what he must do at first he is easily convinced by the sly works of Cassius who is given too much trust from Brutus. Brutus’ flaws are what can define him as a tragic hero. He gives too much. Trust, service, and allegiance are all a part of his tragic flaw. Always giving himself and his fate over to help Rome. His step brother uses his naive tendencies which become what ruins him in the ending. “What other bond than secret Romans that have spoke the word and will not palter?” (Wiggins DR-143) Brutus, again trusting all who he should not, trusting Romans just for being
He never abandoned his honorable ways and he wanted to keep them in his cause. For example, he objected to any unnecessary killing. When the murder of Antony is first suggested by a conspirator, Brutus says, “Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.” (2.1.179). This shows that Brutus wants the bare minimum of cruelty in his cause. He doesn’t want to be harsh killers, but noblemen, only doing what must be done. This ties back into his belief that his cause is necessary and noble. Also, when Antony goes to the capital with the thought he’ll be killed, Brutus tells him, ““O Antony, beg not your death of us! Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, as by our hands and this our present act you see we do, yet see you but our hands and this the bleeding business they have done. Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of Rome (as fire drives out fire, so pity pity) hath done this deed on Caesar.” (3.1.180-188). He is saying that they will spare Antony because they’re not nearly as cruel as they appear. Brutus is again expressing that the conspirators’ deed was crucial to Rome. In addition not wanting unnecessary blood during the killing of Caesar, Brutus maintained these honorable practices far after Caesar was killed. When they are battling Antony and his forces, Brutus stands against immoral behavior in his army, such as bribery. When
Throughout the book, Brutus presents himself as honorable and noble by his personal morals and his status in the Roman society. In Act 2, Scene 1, he contemplates alone about joining the conspirators on killing Caesar, thinking, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general.” This reveals how Brutus has nothing against Caesar for a valid reason to murder him except for the safety of the Roman citizens. From this soliloquy, Brutus shows that he is considerate when it comes to the lives of Romans, and is willing to do anything for their own good. The final speech given by Antony also shows that compared to the other conspirators, Brutus is the most honorable. Antony says, “He, only in a general honest thought and common good
Brutus had a great love for the country of Rome and would do anything he could to protect it. he knew it was the right thing to do if his country would be saved from Caesars reign. Even though Brutus might have fooled some of the commoners and his friends with his speech after Caesars death he knows deep down inside his act was a wrongdoing. “How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. — Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.” This quote shows he couldn't handle what he has done and deep down inside he knew it was the wrong thing to do no matter how much he loved Rome.
First of all, Brutus is a stoic. He and his wife Portia are both very stoic, and they don't show emotions towards things. The most striking instance of Brutus' stoicism is when Portia commits suicide. Cassius is having a hard time accepting Portia's death, but Brutus just shrugs it off. He immediately says to Cassius "Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine" (V. iii. 157-158). Another example is when Portia stabs herself in the thigh. Even after this Brutus does not tell her what his plan is and instead immediately sends her off. Finally, when facing the possibility of taking his own life, he shows little emotion and instead still thinks out everything extremely carefully.
weaves the recurrent motif of honor and honesty around his gentle characterization of Brutus. In so doing,
Brutus is like a piece of elastic. He is easily stretched out, but he's also easily put back to how it used to be. But a piece of elastic will also get worn out and has to be thrown out. Brutus is very quickly persuaded and manipulated. Like elastic, it is stretched and used, then immediately thrown out like it was nothing.