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The characterization of brutus in julius caesar
The characterization of brutus in julius caesar
The characterization of brutus in julius caesar
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"Does the end ever justify the means?" By definition, this phrase means that a good outcome excuses any wrong that are committed to attain it ("Idioms & Phrases."). Not only is this question strongly debated in everyday conversation, but it played a substantial role in the play of Julius Caesar. The differing opinions on this question lead to the deaths of various characters within the story.
In the play of Julius Caesar one of the main characters, Brutus, was torn between his love for Rome, and his loyalty to Caesar. He fears the power Caesar is about to gain, and that he will abuse this power in order to become king of Rome. When he is approached to join a conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, he joins. This was after some unfair persuasion by his longtime friend Cassius. Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus joins the plot out of his devotion to Rome, while the other conspirators join out of their envy and hate for Caesar. The conspirators eventually carry out their plot and publically assassinate Caesar.
After the assassination, Brutus makes a speech to the plebeians trying to justify the conspirators’ actions. He states “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him(“ Shakespeare, 2”).” By stating this, he tries to persuade the plebeians of his belief that Caesar was a danger to Rome because of his great ambition, and the power he would soon possess. When Brutus finishes his monologue, the plebeians seem to be persuaded and agree with his motives. Therefore, we can see that Brutus would agree in this situation that the ends do indeed justify the means. He believed that saving Rome from any possible dangers could be achieved through...
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...ony. Both characters had different opinions on the question, which was displayed through their actions. I feel that Brutus was more justified in his actions because they were performed selflessly for the good of Rome.
Works Cited
"Ethics - "A photojournalist has to get the picture. Does the end justify the means?"." Photographic Journalism Year 3. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014. .
"Idioms & Phrases." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. .
Shakespeare, William. "Act 3 Scene 2." Julius Ceasar,. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1935. Page 4-5. Print.
Shakespeare, William. "Act 3 Scene 2." Julius Ceasar,. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1935. Page 2. Print.
Act 1 scene 3 and Act 3 scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
at this opportunity. In Act III, scene I, line 55, “To be or not to be...”,
Throughout this tragedy Brutus exhibits many character flaws. He starts off by attempting to be too honorable for the adoring people of Rome. He tries to protect him from what Caesar could potentially become, a tyrant. “Wolf but that he sees the Romans as but sheep, he were no lion, were not the Romans hinds”(903). At this point Caesar has not shown any tyrannical ambition. He has been shown to be all for the people without the venture of self gain. “Thrice did I present a kingly crown and thrice did he refuse” (951). He was slightly ambitious, but what human is not? Another flaw we discover in Brutus is that he is an easily swayed man. The truculent and virulent Cassius is able to alter his perception on life especially about his people and the ambitious Caesar. Every move this confused man makes is justified by some flawed logic. This is augmented in his idiotic choice to underestimate Antony and allow him to live. “For Antony is but a limb of Caesar let us be sacrificers not butchers Caiu...
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
6.2 (1995): 145-158. JSTOR. Web. 20 March 2014. Shakespeare.
Shakespeare, William. "Shakespeare Study Guides - Spark Notes - Spark Notes: Today's ...." spark notes. John Heminges, Henry Condell, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. . .
Shakespeare, William. The Norton Shakespeare. Edited Stephen Greenblatt et al. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.
The senators believe that anything they do to Caesar will look bad in the eyes of the people, but Brutus, whom the plebeians love, will make their actions appear honorable. In order to achieve this, Cassius creates a plan in order to prod Brutus in favor of the assassination: In several hands, in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens, Writings all tending to the great opinion That Rome holds in his name, and wherein obscurely Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at. (I,ii,312-316) By deceiving Brutus into believing that the Roman people, who respect him, think that Caesar is becoming too ambitious, Cassius is able to convince Brutus, a noble Roman, to join the plot against Caesar. Because he only wants to do what is best for the people, Brutus joins the conspiracy.
In Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius both commit the evil deed of killing Caesar, yet the readers blame only Cassius. Shakespeare secretly places many techniques of repetition and point of view into the dialogue so that Cassius is given a negative attitude and Brutus a positive one. Brutus is viewed as an honorable, virtuous man while Cassius is viewed as being selfish.
As the play opens, Brutus is known as a Roman nobleman and a member of one of the most illustrious families in Rome. He is first seen in Act I, scene ii, as one of Caesar’s “close friends” who is part of his entourage. But while alone with Cassius he is persuaded into taking a part in the assassination of Caesar. He is weary at first, and it seems as though it took Cassius some time to talk him into agreeing, yet Brutus looked at Caesar as some type of threat as well.
Brutus’ leadership and compassion for others make him a popular figure amongst the Roman people, and it is his reputation that establishes him as an influential individual. For example, despite the fact that Brutus loves Caesar like a brother, he warily joins the conspiracy to assassinate him. He does this because he believes that Caesar’s ambition would become tyranny and that Caesar’s death is a necessary evil in order to preserve the liberties of the Roman people. In his own words Brutus claims, “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general.”(Act 2, Scene 1, Page 1116). In addition, Brutus takes the reins of authority from Cassius and becomes the leader of the conspiracy. He gains this prerogative because of his convincing tongue and powerful influence. His leadership is evidenced when he begins to challenge Cassius’ ideas. When Cassius asks the conspirators to “swear our resolution”(Act 2...
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square-Pocket, 1992. Print.
“After many sleepless nights, Brutus decides that Rome will suffer if it has a dictator and emperor. He fears Caesar’s lust for power and his ambition; therefore he associates himself with the conspirators, thinking that they have the same feelings.” “Carol Davis.” So basically, Brutus joined the conspiracy without knowing the true intensions and motives of the others. Furthermore, Brutus made his decision without any evidence to show that Caesar was a tyrant, if anything he had evidence supporting his innocence. Brutus had never seen or heard of Caesar doing anything but good for the Roman people, and he watched Caesar turn down the crown three times showing, if anything, a lack of
In "The Merchant Of Venice." English Literary Renaissance 34.3 (2004): 286-305. Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Merchant of Venice. New York: Washington Square, 1992.
... middle of paper ... ... Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth in Act 3. Scene 3, "What is to be done?"