ipl-logo

Julius Caesar Essay: Line Between Good And Evil

676 Words3 Pages

Julius Caesar Critical Essay Julius Caesar is a unique play because the line between good and evil is jagged and unclear. Those who see Brutus as the villain tend to fault Brutus for being gullible and so easily manipulated. He falls for Cassius’s ploy to kill Caesar unable to see the personal vendetta attached to Cassius' efforts. Even though some people think Brutus is the tragic hero because he faces a conflict on whether he should kill Caesar or to betray Cassius, Brutus’s lack of loyalty during Caesars assassination makes him more of a villain. Caesar had been one of his closest friends for a long time. Some people can't justify stabbing one's friend in the back, no matter what the reason. They are further repulsed by the way Brutus bathes his hands in Caesar's blood almost immediately after the slaying. They find it a gory act, void of any loyalty or honor. Brutus should be considered the villain because of his faithlessness and gullible nature. Also Brutus’s going above the law to look good in the eyes of Rome made him the antagonist of the play. …show more content…

How loyal is Brutus to Caesar? It seems a bit odd to suddenly switch sides and want to become a conspirator to kill Caesar. Brutus served for Caesar, but not all of his loyalty was there. Cassius is a lot in Brutus’s ear when he wanted Brutus to join the conspirators. He is facing an internal conflict on whether or not to betray Caesar.in Act 3 as Caesar dies even he himself is surprised that Brutus is killing him. He Says “Et tu, Brutè?—Then fall, Caesar.” (3.1.85).Caesar probably would’ve expected this from Cassius since he has “ a lean and hungry look” but from Brutus it is truly a shocker. If Brutus was truly loyal he would’ve gone to Caesar to tell him what was being plotted and planned against him by the conspirators. But it is well understood why he did

Show More
Related

  • Why Did Julius Caesar Want To Join The Conspiracy

    587 Words  | 3 Pages

    Brutus is not only popular with the people of Rome, but with Julius himself. Cassius himself said “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.” This could mean several things, but I interpreted it as Caesar trusts Brutus to some degree. This would make it easier for Brutus to get close near Caesar to commit the act; no-one would stop him or suspect him. Brutus being part of the conspiracy shows the citizens of Rome can see that Julius Caesar is disliked not only by his opponents but by his own people too.

    Read More

  • Was Brutus A Patriot Or Traitor

    531 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, I think Brutus was a patriot, therefore when Cassius offers him the option to join the plot right away, he declines because he doesn't believe Caesar deserves anything so severe. Brutus resolves to assassinate Caesar after Cassius plants the bogus papers from Rome because he doesn't want the people to be held in servitude. He didn't assassinate Caesar out of envy like the others did, but rather for the good of Rome. Because he chose to die rather than be imprisoned and spends the rest of his life feeling guilty for killing Caesar, Brutus may also appear to be a traitor. However, I do believe that he was being cowardly in certain ways despite his overall bravery.

    Read More

  • Marcus Brutus: A Tragic Hero

    154 Words  | 1 Pages

    Brutus killed Caesar for the good of Rome, but soon he realized that Caesar would have only made Rome better. He realizes this when he is visited by the ghost of Caesar and he is starting to regret what he did. Brutus’ prominence, naivete and being too trusting

    Read More

  • Why Did Julius Caesar Join The Conspiracy

    587 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before these events occur, Brutus decides to join the conspiracy, agreeing to kill Caesar. I trust that his decision will benefit Rome and leave him with no regrets. The safety of the people concerned Brutus the most when deciding to join the conspiracy. Having a conversation with himself,

    Read More

  • Outline For Julius Caesar Research Paper

    415 Words  | 2 Pages

    Caesar was a tragic hero because he loved Rome and tried to take care of Rome though he desired power as king of Rome. But Brutus never wanted to be like Caesar by taking the crown. He loved Rome and that’s why he killed Caesar who he loved and himself. He wanted to be an honorable man and not taking the crown that would make him

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Essay: Brutus As A Villain

    677 Words  | 3 Pages

    I think that in the story Julius Caesar that Brutus is a villain because at one point in time Caesar and Brutus were friends and best friends at that. I don't see how you could be a hero if you killed your own friend. I also think he is a dishonorable man because of the actions he made during the story. The main reason I think Brutus is an dishonorable man is because of how he acts around the story. Brutus actions throughout the story made me just think to myself like what the crap who does that to their best friend.

    Read More

  • Brutus Tragic Hero

    649 Words  | 3 Pages

    Brutus knew that Caesar’s power will just get to his head and he will destroy Rome. That is why he decided to join the conspiracy. Brutus knew that Rome will fall if Caesar ruled. When Brutus gives Caesar’s eulogy, he gives good reasons to kill Caesar. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome

    Read More

  • Free Julius Caesar Essays: Marcus Brutus As A Tragic Hero

    983 Words  | 4 Pages

    Brutus is introduced to the play as a well intentioned and respected politician in Rome, with many supporters within the senate, as well as a close friend of Julius Caesar. As he learns of the plot to kill Caesar, he is convinced by the conspirators that Caesar is a tyrant in disguise, and that it is in the best interest of Rome that he should not lead. Brutus’ innocently patriotic love of Rome led him believe that killing Caesar was necessary, a sentiment shared and bolstered by the other conspirators. An excellent example of the conspirators betraying

    Read More

  • How Is Julius Caesar Trusting

    252 Words  | 2 Pages

    For the past 400 years critics have considered Julius Caesar the tragic hero of William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. However, in more recent years critics have challenged that, declaring that Brutus is more fit for the position. In the play, Brutus is a tragic hero because he is overly trusting in multiple instances, therefore, leading to his downfall and death. The first example of Brutus being confiding can be seen when he joins the conspirators. He unites with the conspirators not because he “loved caesar less” (III.ii.22), but because he, “loved Rome more” (III.ii.22).

    Read More

  • Friendships In Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'

    312 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the first things Cassius asks Brutus is “Why have you been so distant lately?” Because of this we can assume that Brutus and Cassius were extremely close friends before. You could also say that Brutus basically betrays Caesar, because of Cassius. Cassius convinced Brutus to join the

    Read More

  • Is Brutus A Betrayer Or A Patriot Essay

    504 Words  | 3 Pages

    Initially, after reading the story, I was confused on whether or not Brutus counted as a betrayer or a patriot and it seemed almost impossible to find out, but as I thought more on it, I discovered he had limited time before Caesar was officially crowned so he had limited options. However, I believe Brutus was a patriot because instead of joining the conspiracy right away when he is offered the chance by Cassius, he refuses because he does not think Caesar deserves something so harsh. Once Cassius plants the fake notes from Rome Brutus decides to kill Caesar because he doesn’t want the people becoming Caesars slaves. So instead of wanting to kill Caesar out of jealousy like Cassius, he just wanted to kill him in order for him not to turn the people of Rome into slaves. Brutus may also seem like a traitor because he chooses to die rather than be captured and

    Read More

  • Brutus: A Tragic Hero

    1142 Words  | 5 Pages

    Brutus is an amazing person. The people he is around are what make him seem like the bad guy everyone thinks he is. Peer pressure is what got to him in the end. As he says in the book, “What dangers are you trying to lead me into, Cassius that you want me to look inside myself for something that’s not there?” This quote is from no fear Shakespeare.

    Read More

  • Brutus Pursuit Of Justice In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

    560 Words  | 3 Pages

    At first Cassius did convince brutus to kill, but Brutus had free will so he shouldn 't have chosen a path that he did not favor in the first place. Brutus will argue that what he did was out of the good of Rome because Caesar was a tyrant. Yet, if we look at Caesar 's character in the play, he was not a tyrant at all. He was hard-headed at times and stern, but overall he cared for the people in Rome. As Antony said, Caesar denied the crown to rule three times and cared for his people because he offered them land in his will.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism Of Marcus Brutus In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

    281 Words  | 2 Pages

    Brutus only wants to employ moral means to fuel his cause, but in reality they really need the support. In arguing with Cassius over something they definitely require, Brutus also risks his friendship with Cassius, an ally he truly needs. The final instance of Brutus’s flawed idealism occurs when he lets Mark Antony speak at Julius Caesar’s funeral. By doing so, Brutus allows Antony the chance to rile up the plebeians to revolt against the conspirators, a chance he successfully takes. Because of his commitment to his ideas on honorable death, Brutus allows the mob to drive the entire conspiracy out of Rome.

    Read More

  • Brutus As A Tragic Hero In The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

    556 Words  | 3 Pages

    This can be found in where he is manipulated into thinking that killing Caesar is for the betterment of the Rome. Cassius states “ Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough, When there is in it but only one man, (I,ii)” Brutus was tricked into thinking that Caesar was the root of the fall of Rome and that the only way to save Rome was to kill Caesar. Cassius used this manipulation strategy many times that way it would stick in his head. Cassius said “ I was born free as Caesar; so were you:We both have fed as well, and we can both (I,ii)”

    Read More

More about Julius Caesar Essay: Line Between Good And Evil

Open Document