Caesar Essay: Comparing Brutus And Caesar

History remembers men and women for both righteous fame and villainous infamy; yet, those who seek and command honor and justice are heralded to highest regard of all. In Julius Caesar William Shakespeare presents the audience with two men who have the chance to be great Roman leaders but choose different paths Through their interaction with their wives, public appeal, and driving motivation throughout the play, Brutus and Caesar reveal why they each should be king. While they are both well-respected and honorable Roman politicians, Marcus Brutus and Caesar ultimately differ in that Brutus is a genuine man, and Caesar proves to be manipulative and two-faced. As the only two happily married men in the play, Brutus proves himself to be a gentle, …show more content…
Brutus’ most striking characteristic and goal is for honor as summed up in his line “ I love the name of honor more than I fear death” (19). This is no empty sentiment either, as Brutus kills himself to die with honor. He knows it is more honorable to die by his own hand than by the enemies and does. Brutus is exemplary in his nobility to the point where even Antony admits it when they find him dead. Caesar’s greatest characteristic is more self-serving than Brutus’. Each of Caesar’s carefully plotted movements were intended to bring him power. Even his death comes as a result of his lust for power when he comes to the Senate only under the impression that he shall be crowned. Despite numerous warnings that he is in danger, Caesar still risks his neck, and loses it, on the chance he will be king. Even Brutus notices this and enlightens the citizens to it when he cites Caesar’s ambition as why he needed to be killed. While Brutus sacrifice himself for honor, Caesar had to be forcibly eliminated due to his selfish ambition. Caesar and Brutus both meet their fateful ends, but Brutus meets his with honor and acceptance while Caesar is dragged to the grave by his own