Loyalty and honor, those two things may seem similar but often in life they can create many inner conflicts and can get in the way for the greater good of others. In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Shakespeare willfully constructs a character by the name of Brutus who is often faced with the serious dilemma of whether to be loyal to a long time friend or honor his great country of Rome by getting rid of his long time friend. He makes the choice of honor for the greater good of his beloved country. His leadership, restraint and honor make him a very important commodity. Throughout the story restraint is a major characteristic Brutus uses in order to make the right choices. Brutus does not like to let temptations get to him and …show more content…
Brutus is a hero amongst heros, “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures” (4.3.217-21). Although Brutus had his own morals and opinions about certain thing he would always set them aside and never let it get in the way with the fact that he only does what he does for Rome and only Rome. Not many people can do that in his situation but the honor he has for his country is more than enough for him to be able to hurt himself for the sake of others. His honor and nobleness can often make him naive leading to hypocrisy. He never lets his emotions affect his decisions and this has hurt and helped Rome in many ways, “But 'tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend”(2.1.134-7). Brutus is known to be an honorable character because he always makes decisions that others couldn’t. He was not afraid of the consequences because he was so honorable that he was willing to suffer the most …show more content…
Caesar was a faithful friend to him and he later goes on to explain that it was “Not that [Brutus] loved Caesar less, but [Brutus] loved Rome more”(3.1.270-3). To Brutus it was all about reasoning and finding a better way to create a Roman dream where everyone can live in peace and equality, even if it was at the cost of aiding in the killing of one of his best friends. His actions were necessary and essential for the sake of the Roman people. Brutus says “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him”(3.2.87-9). Brutus was not happy with the thought of killing his own friend but the fact that he set his emotions aside to help others shows that he is a true hero to the Roman community. If it weren't for his leadership and honor Rome may have fallen into a more destructive society with people believing many false accusations about their leader being a
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 was a very selfish and self-centered person. He continually ignored Cassius’ and the conspirators’ ideas. He was the leader and everyone was supposed to go along with them. Not to mention that all of his decisions went against Cassius and they were all the wrong moves. Brutus refused to admit that he was wrong or listen to other people.
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.
Even though Brutus is mostly appealing to the emotional or pathos side of rhetoric, he still is convincing the people of Rome that he killed Caesar for the safety and happiness of the citizens, “Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?” (III.ii.24-26). In addition, Brutus closes his eulogy by saying, “I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.” (III.ii.48-49). This convinces the people that Brutus is their savior and that Brutus was only looking our for their best interests. Brutus is known for being Caesar’s best friend and having an enormous amount of power in Rome. Since his speech is the first side that the people hear they are certain the Brutus’ way is right, but once they hear Antony’s speech they might change their
“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
Brutus, a senator in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, claims the life of Julius Caesar in order to preserve Rome, his country and home. He puts aside his love for his comrade; Caesar to do what he felt was best. Both of these characters, Creon and Brutus, clearly felt compelled to do what each felt was preeminent for their country.
Even though some of what he did turned out to be morally wrong, he did it with good intentions and he truly believed that he was doing the right thing. Brutus never had envy or power in his mind -only the good of Rome and the people. While the other conspirators opted to kill Caesar because they wanted more power, Brutus participated in this because he truly believed it was best for Rome to kill Caesar. This is shown when he compared Caesar to “a serpent’s egg which, when hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous and kill him in the shell.” (2.1.33-35). Brutus was convinced that if Caesar was crowned,
An honorable man and one respected among the common folk of his country. However, Brutus is plagued with decisions many are not forced to make. His best friend is a threat to the country he loves, leaving him lost and susceptible to the influence of those whom he should never trust. While Brutus is unsure of what he must do at first he is easily convinced by the sly works of Cassius who is given too much trust from Brutus. Brutus’ flaws are what can define him as a tragic hero. He gives too much. Trust, service, and allegiance are all a part of his tragic flaw. Always giving himself and his fate over to help Rome. His step brother uses his naive tendencies which become what ruins him in the ending. “What other bond than secret Romans that have spoke the word and will not palter?” (Wiggins DR-143) Brutus, again trusting all who he should not, trusting Romans just for being
Throughout the book, Brutus presents himself as honorable and noble by his personal morals and his status in the Roman society. In Act 2, Scene 1, he contemplates alone about joining the conspirators on killing Caesar, thinking, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general.” This reveals how Brutus has nothing against Caesar for a valid reason to murder him except for the safety of the Roman citizens. From this soliloquy, Brutus shows that he is considerate when it comes to the lives of Romans, and is willing to do anything for their own good. The final speech given by Antony also shows that compared to the other conspirators, Brutus is the most honorable. Antony says, “He, only in a general honest thought and common good
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
On the other hand some people may believe that he is honorable. Some may say that Brutus had the best interest of Rome in mind while he murdered Caesar. Also, some might try and argue that Brutus would have made a better ruler and that is why is chose to do this act. What these arguments fail to consider is the fact that Brutus failed to stand up for his morals, agrees to take the life of a dear friend, and he goes to kill himself because he is too afraid to face the consequences. Brutus is a dishonorable man because he allows Cassius to make him go against his morals. Another thing is that he shows his weakness by going and not facing the consequences that came with his
Brutus cares for everyone in Rome and want the best. “He would be crowned: / How that might change his nature, there's the / question / It is the bright day that brings forth the adder” (2.1.12-15). Brutus wants to see Rome stay in its current form and Caesar could destroy everything that Rome has accomplished. He only wants to keep Rome great and Caesar could destroy the country if he got the crown and he cares for everyone in Rome . Brutus’ idealism controls how he thinks and acts. “Stoop, Romans, stoop, / And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood / Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords / Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, / And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads, / Let's all cry "Peace, freedom, and liberty!" (3.1.117-122). To rejoice that Rome is safe now and prevent panic, Brutus says to run around with the blood because it would be ideal. By revealing they killed Caesar is an ideal act to say they saved rome. Brutus thinks Rome is ideal without Caesar and is safer and a better place without him, Like Cassius, Brutus’ friendship is important to him, and leads friends. “That I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well” (1.2.88). Brutus loves his friends, even Caesar, but will do anything to save Rome. Brutus is ineffective when listening to his friends, he does not take their advice and it ends up killing him. Brutus being one the noblest Roman leads his friends using effective and ineffective ways of leading
Brutus had a great love for the country of Rome and would do anything he could to protect it. he knew it was the right thing to do if his country would be saved from Caesars reign. Even though Brutus might have fooled some of the commoners and his friends with his speech after Caesars death he knows deep down inside his act was a wrongdoing. “How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here?I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. — Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art.” This quote shows he couldn't handle what he has done and deep down inside he knew it was the wrong thing to do no matter how much he loved Rome.
Brutus' sense of honor and his love for Rome was his most striking quality. With those qualities also comes a sense of honesty. The best example of Brutus' honor was his decision to join the conspirators. Although he was a good friend to Caesar and Caesar had not done anything bad yet, the very threat of Caesar becoming a tyrant led Brutus to joining the conspirators. Cassius said Brutus could be swayed with his honor, meaning Brutus values his hono...
weaves the recurrent motif of honor and honesty around his gentle characterization of Brutus. In so doing,