In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Marcus Brutus is the character who ultimately brings the downfall of Caesar. Through his actions, he also ends up helping and saving Rome from being ruled by Caesar. Brutus throughout this play struggles with inner conflict; commit one bad act for the greater good or stand back and watch what unveils for both him and Rome. Committing murder to save Rome brings up the question; does the end justify the means? Analyzing Brutus as a person as well as his behavior, actions and motives reveals whether he’s a hero, villain or simply mistaken.
Marcus Brutus was known as being an honourable Roman, who even descended from a long line of nobility. Considering this and how he was a companion to Caesar, one can ask themselves; why join in on the plan to kill someone you are on good terms with? What is there to gain if you didn’t have a dispute or a grudge against them? Brutus wasn’t going to particularly benefit from his death. He could’ve possibly taken over Rome for himself, but that’s not what he had wanted nor planned. Brutus wanted Rome to be safe from …show more content…
Brutus explains “if it aught to be towards the general good” he will “ set honor in one eye and death i’ the other” and “look on both indifferently”(Shakespeare,1,2,85-89). So why does a Roman who cares so much about honor, kill the potential ruler of Rome? This is what makes Brutus a villain but a mistaken one. Brutus had been a much warmer person and had a better personality before joining the conspiracy. His demeanor changes and he becomes much colder and apathetic. This can be seen in scene three of act four in which he is discussing his wife’s suicide with Cassius. He quickly brushes it off as if it were nothing, which isn’t one’s initial reaction when a loved one passes away. Being involved in Caesar’s death causes Brutus to change dramatically as a
Marcus Brutus was known as being an honourable Roman, who even descended from a long line of nobility. Considering this and how he was a companion to Caesar, one can ask themselves; why join in on the plan to kill someone you are on good terms with? What is there to gain if you didn’t have a dispute or a grudge against them? Brutus wasn’t going to particularly benefit from his death. He could’ve possibly taken over Rome for himself, but that’s not what he had wanted nor planned. Brutus wanted Rome to be safe from …show more content…
Brutus explains “if it aught to be towards the general good” he will “ set honor in one eye and death i’ the other” and “look on both indifferently”(Shakespeare,1,2,85-89). So why does a Roman who cares so much about honor, kill the potential ruler of Rome? This is what makes Brutus a villain but a mistaken one. Brutus had been a much warmer person and had a better personality before joining the conspiracy. His demeanor changes and he becomes much colder and apathetic. This can be seen in scene three of act four in which he is discussing his wife’s suicide with Cassius. He quickly brushes it off as if it were nothing, which isn’t one’s initial reaction when a loved one passes away. Being involved in Caesar’s death causes Brutus to change dramatically as a