As the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, once said, “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” What Aristotle was trying to say was that honor is the most substantial attribute of the mind, this is also a common theme in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare. The quality of honor pervades through numerous characters in this famous shakespearean play, most specifically by Brutus and Portia. Brutus’ nobility to Rome and the people in it, paired with Portia’s loyalty and bravery cast a strong essence of honor throughout the play. In this theatrical classic, honor is depicted by Brutus in multiple different scenarios. A good example of this is when he was
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O, then by day / Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough / To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, / conspiracy. / Hide it in smiles and affability. / For if thou path, thy native semblance on, / Not Erebus itself were dim enough / To hide thee from prevention”(2.1.79-87).
This quote set a standard on Brutus’ perception of honor and integrity. He was telling the conspirators that killing Caesar would be disgraceful and would not be solely justified due to it’s honorable cause. Brutus believed that what the conspirators were planning to do to Caesar was wrong and tried to change their minds, but he was a very impressionable person that could be easily taken advantage of. Which ties into the fact that Brutus was, to an extent, a naive man with extremely good intent. It is clear that this was his character when he …show more content…
Assassinating Caesar may have been the only grounds under which Brutus’ honor was discredited, but the fact that he was oblivious to this reveals that even though his actions were wrong his intentions were anything but dishonorable. Brutus’ final farewell was caused by Caesar’s ghost appearing to him on the battlefield, telling him that the time had come for him to die as well. As Brutus ran into the knife, attempting to avenge Caesar, he says, “Caesar, / now be still. / I killed not thee with half so good a / will”(5.5.56-59). Brutus’ honor shines throughout this play in many different aspects such as: standing up for what he believed in, having faith in his own integrity, and paying for what he had done in his life.
The admirable trait of honor is distinctively depicted by Portia throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The way that Portia showed her honor was elegant and sometimes extreme but can send an important message to young women about standing up for themselves, especially in romantic relationships. Portia played a major part in defying gender roles, she stood up to her husband, Brutus, while maintaining the stature of a wife. Portia emphasized her point to Brutus that though she was a woman, she had a voice that demanded to be heard just as much as Brutus’, as said in act 2, scene 1, lines
O, then by day / Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough / To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, / conspiracy. / Hide it in smiles and affability. / For if thou path, thy native semblance on, / Not Erebus itself were dim enough / To hide thee from prevention”(2.1.79-87).
This quote set a standard on Brutus’ perception of honor and integrity. He was telling the conspirators that killing Caesar would be disgraceful and would not be solely justified due to it’s honorable cause. Brutus believed that what the conspirators were planning to do to Caesar was wrong and tried to change their minds, but he was a very impressionable person that could be easily taken advantage of. Which ties into the fact that Brutus was, to an extent, a naive man with extremely good intent. It is clear that this was his character when he …show more content…
Assassinating Caesar may have been the only grounds under which Brutus’ honor was discredited, but the fact that he was oblivious to this reveals that even though his actions were wrong his intentions were anything but dishonorable. Brutus’ final farewell was caused by Caesar’s ghost appearing to him on the battlefield, telling him that the time had come for him to die as well. As Brutus ran into the knife, attempting to avenge Caesar, he says, “Caesar, / now be still. / I killed not thee with half so good a / will”(5.5.56-59). Brutus’ honor shines throughout this play in many different aspects such as: standing up for what he believed in, having faith in his own integrity, and paying for what he had done in his life.
The admirable trait of honor is distinctively depicted by Portia throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The way that Portia showed her honor was elegant and sometimes extreme but can send an important message to young women about standing up for themselves, especially in romantic relationships. Portia played a major part in defying gender roles, she stood up to her husband, Brutus, while maintaining the stature of a wife. Portia emphasized her point to Brutus that though she was a woman, she had a voice that demanded to be heard just as much as Brutus’, as said in act 2, scene 1, lines