Upon the first reading of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the common hero and villain of a typical story is hard to distinguish. Upon closer analysis, it is proven that Marcus Brutus is the hero and Marc Antony is the villain. Brutus acts for the good of Rome while Antony acts for his own good. Brutus was the hero of the play because he acted for the good of the people of Rome. Before the assassination of Caesar, Brutus reveals his thoughts in a soliloquy in which he says, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general” (II.i.612-613). This is a justification by Brutus to the audience as to why what he must take part in the elimination of Caesar from power. Brutus has no personal reason for the actions but that he is
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His motives as he talks of Caesar can be interpreted as deceptive to rally the common people against Brutus who becomes his political rival in competition to succeed Caesar. He does this to gain political sway and results in Brutus fleeing the city. Messala says to Brutus, when reporting on the troubles of the city of Rome after their leaving, this, “Have put to death an hundred senators” (IV.iii.2181). These proscriptions were official condemnations as enemies of the state that resulted in death by Antony against his political rivals and those that supported the conspirators. This shows how he used the death of Caesar to elevate himself in power. These actions by Antony show a villainous nature because he acts for personal gain. His actions in power ironically are the kind that the assassination of Caesar was to prevent. Brutus’s actions are shown throughout the play to be honorable and of a heroic nature, as he took action to prevent harm from coming to the people of Rome. Antony’s actions are slightly more subliminal, but result in him gaining political power in Rome by ostracizing Brutus and writing proscriptions for his political enemies, and thus are of a villainous nature. The truth of these characters can sometimes not be revealed on the first reading and thus cause deeper thought and analysis therefore demonstrating Shakespeare’s skill in
His motives as he talks of Caesar can be interpreted as deceptive to rally the common people against Brutus who becomes his political rival in competition to succeed Caesar. He does this to gain political sway and results in Brutus fleeing the city. Messala says to Brutus, when reporting on the troubles of the city of Rome after their leaving, this, “Have put to death an hundred senators” (IV.iii.2181). These proscriptions were official condemnations as enemies of the state that resulted in death by Antony against his political rivals and those that supported the conspirators. This shows how he used the death of Caesar to elevate himself in power. These actions by Antony show a villainous nature because he acts for personal gain. His actions in power ironically are the kind that the assassination of Caesar was to prevent. Brutus’s actions are shown throughout the play to be honorable and of a heroic nature, as he took action to prevent harm from coming to the people of Rome. Antony’s actions are slightly more subliminal, but result in him gaining political power in Rome by ostracizing Brutus and writing proscriptions for his political enemies, and thus are of a villainous nature. The truth of these characters can sometimes not be revealed on the first reading and thus cause deeper thought and analysis therefore demonstrating Shakespeare’s skill in