Brutus Versus Himself Morality is the subjective view of that which is ethically right and which is ethically wrong. During the Elizabethan time period, there was a great split in the general perception of what people viewed as right and viewed as wrong, especially when comparing the upper and the lower classes. Many artists and playwrights based their work upon these ideas and gave their own social commentary on things. In the great tragedy Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare uses the character of Brutus along with Caesar in order to depict the the struggle of morality of man as well as the relationship between fate versus free will of humanity. Shakespeare was one of the if not the most popular playwrights from the Elizabethan time period. …show more content…
It often causes an internal conflict within a person and puts a great deal of stress upon them. From the very beginning of the play, Brutus tells his friend of his internal moral compass becoming lost and Cassius takes advantage of that. Through a series of forged letters Cassius claims to be from the Roman people and his own goading at Brutus to eventually trick Brutus into believing that his closest friend, Caesar, will soon become a tyrant. He claims that, “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first notion, all the interim is Like a phantasma...” (2. 1. 61-63.) The idea of killing his best friend, Caesar, for what Cassius portrayed as the good of the republic is an absolute shock to Brutus. He can not pinpoint how he feels about these thoughts and and the actions that this would demand. It is the effect, the insomnia and how upset his thoughts are causing him to be that truly displays the struggle of personal ethics as …show more content…
Brutus puts on this veil of nationalistic pride in front of all of his friends when they discuss the plot against Caesar. They all love seeing this from the leader of their small rebellion, however, “Brutus, of course, isn’t so firm as he appears to his co-conspirators.” (Kahn) Brutus is the one who calls for the murder of Caesar, but he seems to be the most bothered by it. In his mind he can not personally advocate for the assassination of his best friend, this can be seen through lines of dialogue such as: “Caesar must bleed for it. And the gentle friends, Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully.” (2. 1. 171-172.) He may call out for the murder of Caesar but he asks them to not kill him with anger or resentment. He claims his reasoning behind this is so that the plebeians will not see their actions as evil or misconstrue their intentions. The real reason, however, is that Brutus does not believe killing his friend is the right thing to do, but if it benefits the country and saves them from an evil tyrant then it is the correct course of action no matter his feelings. Brutus believed that the good of the republic came before his own
Brutus appeals to the audience's ethics and judgement of character. " ... any dear friend of/ Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his" (Brutus 7-9 IIIii). By explaining that he had a friendship with Caesar, Brutus portrays that he had to have had a just reason for killing Caesar since he would not want to kill a friend otherwise. "You all did love him once, not without cause" (Antony 33 IIIii).
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." (3.2.19-24) After Brutus killed Caesar, he started to defend his actions. Brutus wanted to be loyal Rome but sees that he should have been loyal to his friend. Part of Brutus' flaw is patriotism, and there is a VERY important question we can ask ourselves.
(II, 10-15) Brutus says the conspiracy is nothing personal towards Caesar. Similarly, Brutus sincerely believes that evil may come rather than the good that may come from Caesar, once he gets full power of Rome. Furthermore, they were both true friends, but Brutus thought the decision of killing Caesar was necessary to free Rome from Caesar's tyranny.
Bold. Loyal. Heroic. Because, Julius Caesar had evil intentions for his country of Rome, Brutus kills his best friend for the sake of his country. Even at Julius Caesar’s funeral, he shows respect to him, but shows the citizens his actions were for their own safety.
In Act 3 Scene 2 Brutus said during his speech, “If that friend then demands to know why Brutus turned against Caesar, this is my answer: Not because I cared for Caesar less, but because I cared for Rome more”. Brutus had courage to kill Caesar, not because he wanted to, but for the good of Rome and its people. During the entirety of the story, Brutus
In their introductory scene a discussion is taking place about Caesar's claim to the throne. Through this discussion the audience learns a lot about Cassius and Brutus’s values . It is revealed that Brutus is an honorable man who believes in the general good of mankind. He states, (1.2 84-89)“ What is it that you would impart to me?/ If it be aught toward the general good, / Set honour in one eye and death
If that friend demands to know why Brutus rose up against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Would you rather Caesar were alive and all of you were to die slaves, than to have Caesar dead and to live as free men? Because Caesar loved me, I weep for him. Because he was lucky,I rejoice for him. Because he was brave, I respect him.
When Brutus was talking to the conspirators Brutus was going back and forth think if he should help the conspirators kill Julius Caesar. He was going back and forth because he was thinking of the power he could have and could rule Rome. The reason behind Brutus killing Caesar was for the better of Rome. If Brutus would not have killed Caesar, Rome would have turned into a dictatorship, and in turn it would have ruined Rome and all of its people. Brutus did not kill Julius just for the power to rule Rome, he killed Julius to save Rome from Caesar’s dictatorship.
Brutus believes that Caesar will do more harm than good to the people, and reap benefits for himself. Brutus has already said this, but had said it in his own words, (II, i, 12-14). He has no clue if Caesar will use his power for the good and betterment for the people, or use it for his own needs and other
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.
When Brutus was speaking to the people of Rome about how he helped assassinate him, he justified it by saying, “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved / Rome more” (3.2.23-24). Even though Brutus is close to Caesar, he has to think about the city he serves first. Brutus wants to do what is best for Rome so if that means he has to harm a friend, he will do so for the greater good of the city he knows and loves. All it took was the conspirator to talk to Brutus a little bit to make him realize Caesar’s potential danger and say “That at his will he may do danger with” (2.1.18).
One is familiar with Shakespeare’s tragedies such as “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”, “The Tragedy of Hamlet” and so forth. Shakespeare’s tragedies have been known for centuries as a reflection of the societies in different eras which appealed to many until today. They express the darkness that lies within the human’s soul and mind. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” are both remarkable works of Shakespeare’s that although they are of different plots, they both share indistinguishable characteristics and themes such as a tragic hero, tragic flaw and hero’s downfall. It had been noted that all Shakespearean tragedies reflect a flaw in the main character or a conflict with an overpowering force that can be observed in the characteristics of Julius Caesar’s, Brutus’s, and Macbeth’s.
He is devoted and utterly selfless for the good of his country. For instance, Brutus stabs Caesar because he is tricked into thinking that the citizens fear Caesar. Keeping this in mind, Brutus kills Caesar to satisfy and ease his people, demonstrating that he prioritizes his country over his friendship with Caesar. Though Brutus ended Caesar’s life, Brutus still holds some loyalty to friends and says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved/ Rome more.” (3.2.50-60)
Brutus was a lifetime friend of Caesar 's that was deceived by a man that feared tyranny to betray Caesars trust and become an accomplice to his murder. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (III, II, 21-22). Brutus loved Rome more than Caesar and he
Brutus responds saying that it is not true; it's just that he had a lot on his mind lately. Brutus has a soliloquy that addresses his inner conflict over how to deal with Caesar. "The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power, and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd." Later after Caesar's death, Brutus and Cassius are preparing to assault the armies of Antony and Octavius. Brutus wanted power more than he valued his friendship with Caesar.