The Assassination Of Brutus And John Wilkes Booth

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A conspirator’s motives toward assassination differ from person to person. These reasons can either be justified or are simply for selfish motives and personal gain. Specifically, the two conspirators, Brutus and John Wilkes Booth, can be justified in their actions concerning the death of their respective political leaders. Whether their actions can be justified or not by society is one thing; however, these conspirators ultimately believed that their actions were going to benefit their societies. I believe that leaders are assassinated for the benefit of society because conspirators are concerned for the well-being of their nation and people. First of all, the conspirator Brutus had taken part in the assassination of Julius Caesar because …show more content…

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. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? 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. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. (III.ii.19-27) Brutus genuinely loved and admired Caesar, but his love for Rome exceeded his love for Caesar. Fearing the possibility that Caesar would become a tyrant and would therefore ruin Roman society, Brutus chose to join the conspiracy to kill him. This correlates with the claim that Brutus assassinated Caesar for the benefit of society because despite his love Caesar, he placed the needs of Rome and its people first rather than his own needs. A second example of Brutus’ selfless behavior for the Roman people can be shown in the same play by Shakespeare, where Mark Antony announced: This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators save only …show more content…

Therefore, it can be said that Brutus truly acted for the benefit of society because of the claims from Mark Antony, a loyal friend of Julius Caesar, and not out of greed and jealousy like the other conspirators. Through Brutus’ noble actions, it is evident that leaders are assassinated for the good of

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