History of Brutus In the play “Julius Caesar,” written by William Shakespeare, Brutus is portrayed as a character that is either noble or ignoble. However, Brutus’s actions and thoughts indicate that he has solely pure and conscientious aims. Throughout the play, Brutus is confronted with a plethora of conflicts and does not always make the correct decisions, but all of his actions are substantiated and justified by his moral intentions. Brutus’s resolve to join the conspiracy was an act to better the people of Rome and his well-known status as well as his admirable character shows his virtuous qualities. Although Dante views the protagonist of the play as a despicable character, when his noble actions are juxtaposed with his ignoble actions,
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Brutus is at war with himself and he is troubled by the fact that the people of Rome are throwing their full support towards Caesar. Brutus fears that Caesar will become a king who will rule with absolute power and states:
And therefore think of him as a serpent’s egg, which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. (2.1.33-36)
Brutus is afraid of what Caesar will do and acknowledges the dangers Caesar will create. His noble intentions are portrayed through this belief that by killing Caesar, Rome would be better off. Furthermore, Brutus finally decides to join the conspiracy stating:
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 crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the
question. …show more content…
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. (3.2.19-24)
Brutus was Caesar’s closest friend and advisor, yet he kills Caesar because of his effusive love for Rome. Although the assassination of Caesar seems irrational and ignoble, it shows Brutus’s resolve and his willingness to sacrifice his closest friend to achieve an even greater good. Additionally, this seemingly act of betrayal is more of a display to show Brutus’s noble character and a demonstration of his strong values. Furthermore, Brutus displays his noble character when he refuses to kill Antony. Along with the death of Caesar, Cassius proposes to kill Antony in fear that war may ensue. However, Brutus adamantly refuses because the killing of Antony would be seen as brutal. Brutus truly believes that Antony could be trusted, but his idealism blinded him from making the most prudent of decisions. Ultimately, the great hero Brutus meets a tragic end and even his enemies praise his valiant character. Upon encountering the dead Brutus’s body, Antony, a loyal advisor to Caesar,
Brutus is at war with himself and he is troubled by the fact that the people of Rome are throwing their full support towards Caesar. Brutus fears that Caesar will become a king who will rule with absolute power and states:
And therefore think of him as a serpent’s egg, which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. (2.1.33-36)
Brutus is afraid of what Caesar will do and acknowledges the dangers Caesar will create. His noble intentions are portrayed through this belief that by killing Caesar, Rome would be better off. Furthermore, Brutus finally decides to join the conspiracy stating:
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 crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the
question. …show more content…
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. (3.2.19-24)
Brutus was Caesar’s closest friend and advisor, yet he kills Caesar because of his effusive love for Rome. Although the assassination of Caesar seems irrational and ignoble, it shows Brutus’s resolve and his willingness to sacrifice his closest friend to achieve an even greater good. Additionally, this seemingly act of betrayal is more of a display to show Brutus’s noble character and a demonstration of his strong values. Furthermore, Brutus displays his noble character when he refuses to kill Antony. Along with the death of Caesar, Cassius proposes to kill Antony in fear that war may ensue. However, Brutus adamantly refuses because the killing of Antony would be seen as brutal. Brutus truly believes that Antony could be trusted, but his idealism blinded him from making the most prudent of decisions. Ultimately, the great hero Brutus meets a tragic end and even his enemies praise his valiant character. Upon encountering the dead Brutus’s body, Antony, a loyal advisor to Caesar,