The well-respected Greek philosopher, Plato, once said, “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus clearly contemplates this idea when he considers whether to join Cassius and the other conspirators in murdering his friend Julius Caesar. Caesar has just triumphantly returned to Rome after defeating the sons of Pompey, the last of his enemies. Through this and other military achievements, he has steadily risen to power. Those threatened by Caesar’s rising star, and jealous of his success, such as the Roman senator, Cassius, try to convince Brutus that Caesar’s blind ambition and lust for power must be stopped or else Rome will pay the price. Ultimately, Brutus decides
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Brutus is loyal to Rome and to the Republic. He does not want to see Caesar crowned king for fear that such power would ultimately lead to the downfall of Rome. Upon reading Cassius’s letters, which Brutus assumes were written by the Roman people, Brutus pledges to answer the pleas of the people who do not want Rome to submit to one man’s power. Brutus vows: “O Rome, I make thee promise, / If the redress will follow, thou receivest / Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus” (II, i, 56-58). Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus’s motives are pure and illustrate his loyalty to Rome. After Caesar’s murder, Brutus speaks to the plebeians to publicly explain the reasons for Caesar’s death. Brutus states, “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” (III, ii, 20-23). Brutus goes on to explain that Caesar was too ambitious and that his ambition would have led him to be king and the common people to be slaves. Therefore, though Caesar was his friend, it was Brutus’s duty to Rome that guided his actions and led him to murder …show more content…
Brutus is a friend to Caesar, but he is also aware that Caesar’s ambition is a dangerous thing. He rationalizes that power corrupts even good men. If Caesar becomes king, he will likely abuse his power, become a tyrant, and destroy the Republic. In an effort to entice Brutus to join the conspiracy Cassius confirms Brutus’s fears about Caesar. He also cleverly flatters Brutus by telling him how highly the people regard him. By sending him letters, supposedly from the common people, asking for his help to right Caesar’s wrongs, Cassius further compels Brutus to join the conspiracy. Lastly, and most importantly, Brutus’s chief reason for agreeing to murder Caesar stems from his love of Rome and his desire to protect the principles of the republic. Tragically, Brutus measures Caesar not by what he has done with power, but what he might do with
Brutus is loyal to Rome and to the Republic. He does not want to see Caesar crowned king for fear that such power would ultimately lead to the downfall of Rome. Upon reading Cassius’s letters, which Brutus assumes were written by the Roman people, Brutus pledges to answer the pleas of the people who do not want Rome to submit to one man’s power. Brutus vows: “O Rome, I make thee promise, / If the redress will follow, thou receivest / Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus” (II, i, 56-58). Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus’s motives are pure and illustrate his loyalty to Rome. After Caesar’s murder, Brutus speaks to the plebeians to publicly explain the reasons for Caesar’s death. Brutus states, “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” (III, ii, 20-23). Brutus goes on to explain that Caesar was too ambitious and that his ambition would have led him to be king and the common people to be slaves. Therefore, though Caesar was his friend, it was Brutus’s duty to Rome that guided his actions and led him to murder …show more content…
Brutus is a friend to Caesar, but he is also aware that Caesar’s ambition is a dangerous thing. He rationalizes that power corrupts even good men. If Caesar becomes king, he will likely abuse his power, become a tyrant, and destroy the Republic. In an effort to entice Brutus to join the conspiracy Cassius confirms Brutus’s fears about Caesar. He also cleverly flatters Brutus by telling him how highly the people regard him. By sending him letters, supposedly from the common people, asking for his help to right Caesar’s wrongs, Cassius further compels Brutus to join the conspiracy. Lastly, and most importantly, Brutus’s chief reason for agreeing to murder Caesar stems from his love of Rome and his desire to protect the principles of the republic. Tragically, Brutus measures Caesar not by what he has done with power, but what he might do with