Throughout the story, Brutus was one of the few characters that understood the way power could change a man. He feared that Caesar would become a tyrant with all his new power and that Rome would suffer from his rule. He states this multiple times in the story. During Caesar’s funeral, Brutus states “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more,” (JC 3.2.23). It is clear to see here that Brutus was justified in killing Caesar because his intentions are good.
Having to choose between his loyalty to Rome and his loyalty to his close friend, Brutus shows what is more important to him by finally killing Caesar. In Act I, Brutus tells Cassius, “What means this shouting? I do fear the people/Choose Caesar for their king” (Shakespeare I.ii.85-86). Brutus fears that Caesar will be crowned king, which contradicts the values of the Roman Republic. And after some persuading from the conspirators and Cassius, Brutus finally joins in on the act to kill Caesar before he can do any damage to Rome.
” This quote shows that Brutus is considering betraying his best friend. Then later in act two Brutus says “The only way is to kill Caesar. I have no personal reason to strike at him—only the best interest of the people. ”(2.1.10) which shows that he has given in and is agreeing to kill Caesar for Rome.
“Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1.2.140). Brutus allowed Cassius to talk him into killing Caesar, and believed that he should be loved and supported as much as Caesar. Brutus knew that with Caesar out of the way, he would become the people's
Brutus is faced with a serious decision in Act II. Brutus states, “It must be by his [Caesar] death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him but for the general. He would be crowned.”, and “Th’ abuse of greatness is when it when it disjoins remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar. I have not known when his affections swayed more than his reason.” Brutus was faced with the decision if he should kill Caesar or let him live.
It's a bad idea for Brutus to join the conspiracy. What if the plan doesn't go how they want it to go? If Caesar found out that they were planning on killing him, he would probably kill all of them first. Brutus is already a close friend of Caesar's why put his life on the line.
Your friend or your country, this decision is burdensome and a choice that Brutus needed to make. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, readers are confused about Brutus being a patriot or a traitor. Brutus most certainly is a patriot considering even Antony said that he truly had good intentions. Although this may be true, some people view Brutus as a traitor due to him killing Caesar, claiming he was ambitious and Antony easily disproved this. Contrary of what some people think, Brutus is a patriot because he killed Caesar to free Rome from his rule, Antony even stated that he did not act out of jealousy and was noble.
Antony manipulates the crowd, with their submissiveness in mind. Antony begins to make the crowd to question Brutus and his dialectic behind killing Caesar. The “honourable” men claim to have killed Caesar due to his ambition, however “on the Lupercal / I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?”(3.2, 98-100, 50). Antony uses logos appeal by stating facts, which makes the crowd think for themselves, unlike they normally do.
The senators conspire to take Caesar’s life, but need the cooperation of a respected senator named Marcus Brutus. Brutus is a trusted friend to Caesar and is against the plot. Eventually, Brutus turns on Caesar and partakes in his murder. Caesar’s supporters, Antony and Octavius, start a civil war to avenge his death. The play ends will Brutus committing suicide.
In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare Rome is struck with utter disorder after certain characters use ethos, pathos and logos to manipulate the people of Rome. One character who uses ethos, pathos and logos is Cassius to manipulate Brutus into joining the conspirators. Brutus also uses ethos, pathos and logo to justify his killing of Caesar. Last, Mark Antony uses ethos, pathos and logo to manipulate the Plebeians against Brutus and the conspirators. Thus, Cassius, Brutus and Mark Antony all use ethos, pathos and logos to manipulate one another and bring the people of Rome to their sides, resulting in total chaos.
Shakespeare in his time was viewed as a historian, that is why it can be seen that his play has such a historical appeal to it. His facts for the most part, are facts, and what he fictionalizes doesn't impact that history that has already occurred. He demonstrates intimate conflicts between the characters and really brings the reader in full circle to the events of the time of the play. In William Shakespeare's the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, manipulation is used in oratory, drives wills, and is seen in specific characters as a perspective for the political and social settings of Caesar’s Rome.
“If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his. 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.” Although many people in Rome were happy that Caesar had died, Brutus still loved Caesar and promised to himself that their friendship will never die. Another reason why Brutus was not right to join the conspiracy is because Cassius had convinced Brutus that Caesar was going to make himself a monarch and turned him against his own friend by manipulating him and making Brutus the one to kill Caesar. Brutus’ flaws that he has as a character got the best of him and made it easy for Cassius to use him for the killing of Caesar.
Although the influence that the power of free will possesses can immensely affect the fate of an individual, fate can also be predestined. Throughout the play, characters demonstrate their own views on the effect of free will through their actions, thoughts, and words. In an attempt to change the fate of the Roman Empire, the conspiracy chooses to utilize their free will by murdering the widely beloved leader of Rome. However, due to the outcome of the play, it can be questioned if their costly actions were all in vain. Incidents that are decided by free will and others that are already underway are prominent within The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, and greatly affect the denouement of the play.
The Character Brutus In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus is a character that has the most difficult decision in the play. To disobey his loyalty to Caesar, or to disobey his loyalty to Rome. At first we all believe that Brutus is a good guy and wouldn’t turn his back on Caesar.
Although Cassius and Brutus play significant roles in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, both men differ in their rank, views of justice, and possess contrasting personalities. Both men knew Caesar but differed in their motives to kill him. For example, the reader may view Brutus as a hero who desires fair treatment in Rome. Cassius may be looked upon as a manipulative and jealous man seeking to fulfill his own agenda. Despite Brutus’ decision to kill Caesar, it can be argued that he is a man of virtue while Cassius is a man of vice.