Julius Ceaser The Importance of Brutus
Uploaded by MJ23 on Jul 05, 2004
Throughout Julius Caesar, Brutus's actions have very extensive ramifications, I wish to review his actions, and the motivating factors behind those actions. I intend to prove that Brutus had a strong and well grounded personae. He had good intentions; however, he made one fatal mistake and that was his downfall. He had many positive qualities. I wish to bring these to the light and delve into how they affected the plot.
Brutus is a very sincere man. He truly believes that his role in Cassius's assassination plot is for the good of Rome and her citizens. This becomes very apparent when he says, "But for the general. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature, there’s the question." (Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 12-14) This truly innocent way of thinking allows him to be persuaded by Cassius to go against Caesar. He is also an honest man. He refuses to take a bribe in lines 75-78 of Act 4, Scene 3. "By any indirection: I did send to you for gold to pay my legions, which you denied me: was that
done like Cassius?" This is an honesty that gained him the respect of the people. Brutus was a naive man as well. Sincerity is often misconstrued as being naive; however, I will treat each as a separate characteristic. Brutus's naive spirit is mostly shown not in one
single action, but in the overall willingness he has to believe that those around him are essentially good. "Only be patient till we have appeased the multitude, beside themselves with fear, and then we will deliver you the cause why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, have thus proceeded." (Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 179-183); And also
when he said: "So fare you well at once; for Brutus’ tongue hath almost ended his life’s history: night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest." (Act 5, Scene 5, Lines 38-42) Brutus was also of noble birth. This isn't really a character trait, but it is one reason why he may have been in such a high ranking political position. "I will with patience hear, and find a time both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of Rome. (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 169-173)
Brutus is also a philosophical thinker. He...