The Hero in Brutus
Whether the character Brutus in the play “Julius Caesar” is a hero or a villain is a very negotiable topic. Just think to yourself, does Brutus’ deeds result in hero effect or in a terrible, villain way? Many may argue that Brutus is a villain because of his urge to kill Caesar, but in my opinion he is a hero. “Even others are aware that Brutus is the most noble and truthful man in Rome” (Lee). When I think of a hero the words that come up are strong, honorable, noble, selfless, and kind-hearted. Brutus is one of the most honest and noble men that live in Rome. Some would say it was awful of him to kill Caesar but he only did it for the people. He knew that for the people the best option would to be to defeat Caesar, as it would better
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“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (3. 2. 21-22). This shows the strength of Brutus. Another quote includes, “This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He, only general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them” (5. 5. 68-72). Antony says this in regards to Brutus when he dies. This shows just how much the people honor Brutus and believe he is a very noble man. At the end of the play as Brutus is replaying the death of Caesar, he feels a sense of guilt. “Brutus feels guilt towards the killing of Caesar, even though it was for the process and success of Rome” (Ridley-Elmes). Only the true, honest, and meaningful heros contain guilt even if others believe that they did the right thing. “Brutus's choice to commit suicide rather than live on in infamy and guilt renders him, ultimately, a noble character worthy of praise” (Ridley-Elmes). Brutus is a very loyal character who realizes where he makes mistakes and always tries his best to put himself in the right position even in bad situations that
“Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? - What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels?”
Throughout the entire play, Brutus proves to have Rome’s best interest in mind and strives to be honorable. In the beginning of the play, Brutus is talking to Cassius and he remarks, “set honor in one eye and death i' th' other, and I will look on both indifferently, for let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death” (1.2.88-91). Brutus feels very strongly about having a humble mindset. Brutus is so humble that he worries more about
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (3.2.24) This quote reflects the motive of Brutus for the assassination of his friend, Caesar. I believe Brutus killed him not out of disrespect, but in a selfless act to protect Rome from the decree of Caesar yet to come. I also believe that he did this out of force from the manipulation from his “friend” Cassius. In Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar”, Brutus’ two most significant characteristics are virtue and unconscious hypocrisy. In order to fully understand these characteristics, it is necessary to analyze all other contributing characteristics, the manipulation of friendship that Cassius uses against him, and the motivations for
In Shakespeare’s play, the conspirators are not justified because of their selfish motives. During the beginning of the play, Cassius is depicted as covetous when he tries to convince Casca to join the conspirators by speaking poorly of Caesar. “What trash is Rome, what rubbish and what offal, when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as Caesar” (I.II.108-110). Using a disgusted pattern of diction, Shakespeare helps to convey a bitter tone when Cassius states, “trash”, “rubbish” and “offal” to express his belief that Rome will become a terrible place when Caesar rules. Also, the fact that Cassius says, “a thing”, to describe Caesar shows how disrespectful he is, portraying his revolting attitude as a bad motive. This language characterizes Cassius as jealous and greedy of Caesar’s power,
Brutus has a naive view of the world. He is unable to see through the roles being played by Cassius, Casca, and Antony. He does not even recognize the fake letters were sent from Cassius. Then Brutus says,“You shall not blame us Antony, in your funeral speech, but speak all the good you can of Caesar.
The fact that Brutus killed Caesar for his country meant that even though he murdered somebody, a friend, he still did it for something much bigger than himself. Like Brutus said, he killed Caesar because it was “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 2 Shakespeare). I think that is very noble of him, because if it weren’t for the act of murder, he would most definitely be a hero. If it were not for him not giving Caesar a chance first, he would most definitely be a hero. If it weren’t for his morals being manipulated by another person, he would most definitely be a hero. There is a lot of controversy about the topic and what makes Brutus a hero or villain. The question about which one he really is makes you think. I feel that even though he was a good man, the small details made the “villain” side of him surface much more than the “hero”
He reveals what makes Brutus noble from the rest of the Romans and how taking challenges, risks and being strong, honorable, and able to face sorrows is what makes someone noble. The noblest ones take risks and face the consequences and challenges of proving what is right. Brutus loved Rome and when Cassius asks him to join the conspiracy, he only agrees, knowing that Caesars death would make Rome a better place. Killing Caesar was hard for him to do, but it was a risk he was willing to take, knowing it would bring democracy to Rome. After Brutus forces himself to make the last stab in Caesars heart, he mentions in his speech, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I have loved Rome more” (iii. ii.
In conclusion, Brutus is the real tragic hero because throughout the play he is battling himself over good vs. evil. Even though he has tragic flaws he is still seen as a noble and respected figure in Rome both by those who wanted Caesar dead and those who did not. His ability to be easily manipulated led to the death of Caesar, himself, and countless others. If he had made his own decisions, he would not have ended up causing the chaos and tragedy he did. But, on the other hand he did have his own personal reasons for killing Caesar.
What happens when you become power hungry and arrogant? This is what happens to Julius in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. In this story, Caesar was very arrogant and ignored people that could’ve saved his life. Caesar did not want to be appeared of as weak or scared, so he ignored his wife and said that he was not scared to go. All of this led to his death from all the conspirators. When they killed Caesar though, Brutus and Cassius wanted more power and became arrogant like Caesar had. A war broke out and Brutus and Cassius were killed by themselves because they were too ashamed to die by the other side. I think the main idea of this story is too not become too power hungry or arrogant or else you will have enemies trying to stop you.
Brutus exclaims that the masses are worth more than an individual, that individual who is Caesar. In spite of those beliefs, Cassius offers him salvation. Cassius entices Brutus with the notion of a false faith, the end to his suffering with be at the end of Caesar's life. A dream which Brutus gladly fights when he utters, “ Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Cassius. And in spite of the men, there is no blood”(2.1.173-175). Brutus offers insight into his notion of worth, he will kill for a righteous deed, an honorable action, but not slay wantonly. Brutus is a true martyr for a deceptive plan, when he says, “I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death”(3.2.41-43). A person of high moral values, an individual who strive to accomplish his ambition, Brutus was the most honorable Roman. However, many would view
Being clever with your words can change everyone's thoughts and feelings. Mark Antony did this to manipulate the people to be on his side in the play Julius Caesar. Antony did what he could to get the people of Rome on his side and to not be with Brutus and the conspirators. The conspirators are a group of people who thought Caesar was bad for Rome. They would get together during the night and plan out the killing of Caesar. They took a lot of time to plan it out. They finally killed him in front of all of Rome. The people reacted how anyone would if there was a murder right in front of them. Everyone kind of panicked. Brutus then talked to everyone at his funeral, and explained why they did it. He also flattered them by saying he did it for
During Caesar’s funeral, he is very respectful to those who mourn and sends his condolences to those who are very lost without their leader. In addition, Brutus knows how hurt Mark Antony is by Caesar’s death, so Brutus lets him speak at his funeral. Also,Cassius theorizes that Mark Antony may be dangerous and that they should kill him along with Caesar. However, Brutus declines his proposal because he thinks that Mark Antony is not a bad man and also thinks that he will have nothing left when his leader is dead. Casca says, “Oh, he sits high in all peoples hearts, and that which would appear offense in us, his countenance, like the richest alchemy, will change to virtue and to worthiness” (I.iii.159-162), this quote basically means that because of his honor, that he was very respected and loved by the people of Rome. Furthermore, Brutus’ honor and respect shows to all the citizens in Rome and he is mainly well known by these two traits. Overall, Brutus perfectly fits into all the categories that define a hero. Brutus is a true inspiration, not only to me, but to everyone who reads the
Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.
“Veni, vidi, vinci.” I know you are probably wondering what that quote even means, or who even said it. Julius Caesar, a fairly known historic figure, said these words of “I came, I saw, I conquered” (“Bio.Com”). When you hear his name the first thing that comes to your mind would be his character in William Shakespeare's plays and novels. He was much more than words on a page. Julius Caesar was one of the most determined, intelligent, and powerful men in ancient Roman history.
The play Julius Caesar depicts Brutus to be an extremely noble being who is well respected and honored by all Romans, even his enemies. Brutus was a loving friend of Julius Caesar and wished anything but death on his comrade, but his love and dedication to the majestic city of Rome would force him to commit anything. He fights a war to defend Rome from a king or emperor's tyrannical rule. When the war was finished, even his enemies saw that he was the most respectable Roman of them all.