Anthony, Cassius and Ceasar are Not Noble Throughout the play "Julius Caesar" it could be argued that many characters show signs of being noble. Brutus however, the dramatic focus of the play is described by Anthony as "the noblest roman of them all." Why does Anthony say this and is this true? From Act 1 scenes 2 and 3 we learn most about the character of Brutus "I love… the name of honour more than I fear death." Cassius then responds with "I know that virtue to be in you Brutus" this emphasises to the reader from the start that Brutus is perceived to be honourable. Brutus is portrayed as a man who is widely respected in society with a social conscience. From the start of the play we see Brutus set aside from the rest of the conspirators, he is at an objective viewer unlike the other conspirators like Cassius who is motivated by envy, revenge and self interest. " And Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him". It was because Brutus was so loved throughout Rome that he was vital to the plot to kill Caesar "Win the Noble Brutus to our Party" Brutus was manipulated and he joined the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar after much careful thought and manipulative flattery by Cassius. " I know the virtue in you Brutus as well as I do your outward favour". It was easy for Cassius to manipulate Brutus because Brutus had so much trust in everyone. This could be perceived as a flaw in Brutus's personality but it does not detract from his nobility. Although Brutus allowed himself to be drawn into the plot to kill Caesar he did so because of his love for Rome. He believed in the ... ... middle of paper ... ...acteristics I believe that he became the tragic hero of the play. I think Anthony summed up Brutus well at the end "This was the noblest roman of all. All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He only in general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, "this was a man." In conclusion I do believe that Brutus was the noblest Roman of them all I think the servant speaking in act 3 scene 1 described Brutus perfectly "Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest." However although he was noble and had the very best of intentions he was ultimately naïve and too trusting. His realism overcame his reason and he paid the price for it.
...ation and well being of a country, people, and republic. “‘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 in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them’”(998). Although a seemingly menacing traitor to his country at first, Brutus makes the journey to a sympathetic and noble tragic hero in the end.
Brutus also places his faith in the honor of others, refusing to take a group oath assuming the honor of the individual is the strongest thing there is. Brutus lives his life based almost entirely on the idea of honor, yet he somehow fails to see the dishonor in killing his close friend to prevent him from rising to power.
Brutus appears to be a selfless, thoughtful man who only wants the best for Rome, and is tormented by his fears towards Caesar ruling Rome.
les of this when he is attempting to manipulate Brutus to join the conspiracy. Brutus gives us the impression that he is very indecisive and hesitant; we also see that he is very quiet and that Cassius overrules him in the conversation; we do however go on to find out that Brutus isn’t really like this. In Act 2 Scene 1, we see Brutus’ true characteristics; he takes charge of the conspiracy and he is very commanding; Cassius steps down. Cassius is overwhelmed by Brutus’ character and has to let Brutus take over. In Act 4 Scene 3 we see some negative
Brutus is the best character in this book to be a leader. The first reason I think that
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
Throughout the play many characters are not who they turn out to be. Julius Caesar is a very good judge of character, he does not ruts Cassius, he says “ He thinks too much man, such men are dangerous”( shakespeare,1.2.195). Caesar foreshadows now dangerous Cassius is, Cassius is one person who stabs Caesar. Unlike Caesar, Brutus trusts people too much to see who they are. After Caesar 's death, Brutus trusts Marc Antony to give his speech, but Cassius says “ You know not what you do. Do not consent./ that Antony speak in his funeral. I know you how much the people may be moved/ by that which he will utter.” (shakespeare,3.2.333-335). Caesar was an amazing military leader, Brutus was not. Before Caesar becomes king, he gained land back to Rome “ Julius Caesar has just returned to Rome after a long civil war in which he defeated the forces of pompey” (applebee) Caesar led his military to victory and has the chance to take full control of Rome. brutus is a humble military leader company to Caesar. After Brutus won his battle over Octavius’ army, he left his men begin looting. Instead of helping Cassius’ army “ O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,/ who, having some advantages on Octavius/ took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil/ whilst we by Antony are all enclosed .(Shakespeare,5.3.5-8) Brutus had a bad call when he did not send his army to help Cassius. With Caesars flaw being
will change to virtue and to worthiness" (Act I, sc. III, 157-160). See also. & nbsp ; Brutus is the only conspirator who does not act out of jealousy and envy.
The first element of a Shakespearean tragedy is the requirement of a tragic hero. This tragic hero must be a person of nobility whose moral decisions will influence society in one way or another. He or she has some sort of tragic flaw and is forced to make a decision at some point that will lead to his or her suffering and death. In Julius Caesar, you can see that Brutus meets these requirements. For example, a Plebian (citizen of Rome) says, "The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!" (3.2.11). When looking for a tragic flaw in Brutus, we find many - he is easily influenced, has difficulty in looking ahead, is too proud for capture, is naïve to the whole picture, and has split loyalties. I believe the flaw that has the greatest influence on Brutus and his decisions is that he is easily influenced. Because of the strong influences others have on Brutus, the conspirators easily persuade him to make decisions he probably wouldn't have otherwise made...
Another question could be asked about whether Brutus is an honorable man or a mistaken one. Analyzing Brutus’s logic, actions, and intentions can help the reader decide where they stand. I believe Brutus is a villain. The fine line that distinguishes a person as either a hero or a villain, or even a good and a bad person, is unclear. That makes the play so very unique.
“Live, Brutus! Live! Live!” chants the mob after Brutus, murderer of Caesar, convinces them that killing their leader was best for Rome. In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, Marc Antony, dearly beloved of Caesar, follows Brutus’ passionate appeal with his own speech. Antony is a genius when it comes to rhetorical ability and uses this to turn the tables against Brutus. He knows the mob is already on the side of the conspirators and must establish a strong connection in the form of ethos for them to listen to anything he says. He begins, “Friends, Romans, countrymen.” These three famous words are meant to make the crowd feel special because he is their friend, make them want to listen to him because he is a fellow Roman. Next, Antony assures them he comes “to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” With the crowd on Brutus’ side, they can only be glad to know that Antony has the same point of view as them. Marc Antony’s use of ethos builds a strong connection to prepare the audience for the rest of his address.
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
Cassius, main conspirator in this play, initially draws Brutus into the inner circle. From the beginning of the play, Cassius seeks Brutus for the newest addition to the plot and knows if Brutus is added, the plot will be successful. Even in the first scene of Act II Cassius is flattering Brutus in order to entice Brutus into joining the murderous group. "Your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, speaking of Brutus, and groaning underneath this age's yolk, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." (p. 350 ln. 55-60) This quote depicts when Cassius first starts to flatter Brutus and say Brutus is the most respected and noble man in Rome. These compliments and forms of flattery are what first showed Brutus was kind of man the people see him as and what time of power Brutus could produce in himself.
not what you do; do not consent...” Had Brutus been more aware of what was really
In the play Julius Caesar, written and preformed by William Shakespeare, there are many characters, but two, Brutus and Cassius, stood out. The play begins in Rome where a celebration of Julius Caesar's victory over the former ruler of Rome, Pompeii. The victory leads to Caesar's betrayal by his jealous companions. Senators and other high status figures are jealous of Caesar's new and growing power, while others, like Brutus, fear the tyrannical rule Caesar could enforce. The conspirators, Brutus and Cassius being the most important, assassinate Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius, better known as Antony, and Octavius Caesar, Caesar's heir to the thrown, revenge Caesar's death. Antony convinces the Roman populous to destroy the conspirators and eventually begins a war with Cassius and Brutus' armies. Both Cassius and Brutus commit suicide to save their honor and Antony and Octavius win the war. The characterizations of Brutus and Cassius show a distinct contrast in their character traits and motives for the assassination of Julius Caesar.