Influenced by the belief of Brutus disliking Caesar, some may think that the idea of assassinating Caesar is for selfish reasons, or that Brutus has a personal enmity against Caesar. Referring to his original motives, he particularly says, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general” (II.i.11-12). Brutus displays no personal intention to ambush Caesar, except to do what was favorable for the well being of Rome.
Almost everyone seeks power. When a man with riches beyond belief and an opportunity to be King declines it to be a villager this tells a great deal about his character. In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Brutus is a modest man who wants the best for Rome without credit or attention. Brutus is modest; he wants to be a regular Roman and do what is greatest for Rome without being credited. Shakespeare states, “Till then, noble friend, chew upon this; Brutus had rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of Rome…” (I.ii.171-173).
It is true that this isn't what comes in return for the death of Caesar. However, Brutus's intentions were just. He states in this quote that they will take Caesar's blood and cry peace and liberty because in Brutus's eyes killing Caesar would bring about peace in Rome. “Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touched his body, that did stab, And not for justice?”(4.3.18-21) In this quote, Brutus is saying that no man who partook in Julius Caesar's downfall did so for self gain.
“you all did love him once, not without cause: what cause withholds you then to mourn for him now”(citation). Here Antony depicts how the crowd once did love him but because a man has put false ideas into their heads, they turn on him. A citizen of Rome should stand for their beliefs, not the ones that are put into their heads even if it is by a powerful and honorable man. Not only does Antony show much emotion towards the subject, but so does Brutus when he speaks during his own eulogy. Here Brutus illustrates his love Rome, “not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more” (citation).
Perhaps because Livy lived in a time where men had forsaken loyalty to their country for personal gain, he places extra emphasis on loyalty. He praises self-sacrificing men who server their country and demonizes opportunistic men who are only loyal to themselves. Livy’s work is a history, but Livy is not a historian in the modern sense, he is a storyteller. Livy’s subject is the morals of the men that shaped Rome, not Rome herself. Thus, his analyses of his character’s morals are critical to his story.
Brutus is not like Cassius. He doesn’t feel jealous of Caesar’s position. But, after reading the letters, Brutus realizes that if Caesar becomes the king, then Rome will be negatively affected. That is why he decides to help and join Cassius and the conspirators to kill Caesar. Many of the conspirators kill Caesar out of envy and greed, while only Brutus did it out of love for Rome.
In regards to their leaders murder, the Romans turned against the senate, there for Antony’s speech was more persuading than Brutus’s. Antony’s speech uses ethos and pathos to evoke the heavyhearted emotions from the Roman citizens. Antony walks up to present himself with Caesar in his arms “I come to bury Caesar not to praise him” (6). He is preaching to the people that he was not Caesar’s friend. He knows Caesar was not a trustworthy leader but he deserves to be noticed for his great intentions, Antony wants the Romans to feel mournful towards Caesar.
He believes that for the good of Rome Caesar must die. He believes this because; he thinks that no man should have that much power. Another example of betrayal would be when Antony tells Brutus that he wants to join the conspirators, when really he wants to revenge Caesars death. This shows betrayal because Antony made a promise to Brutus that he did not keep. All of the examples I have listed in the paragraphs above portray betrayal, a common motif.
Woody 1 Verity Woody English 1 Mr. DeLong 2-27-08 Essay 2: Final Draft “The end always justifies the means.” Some people live by this quote of survival. Sometimes “the end” is an honorable cause and in some cases it is just plain vengeance. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by legendary playwright William Shakespeare, Shakespeare portrays the things man does just to make things end the way he wants and actually in the end it rarely ends the way he wants. The first example of how far a man will go for an “honorable cause” is in the case of Marcus Brutus. Brutus in the very beginning is all about honor and dignity as he says in numerous parts of the play.
Despite this, Brutus was more loyal to his country, the land he calls home, and the people with whom he shares it with. He knew that since most people at the time we uneducated, they would be gullible and would instantly accept and adore whoever was an authority figure, no matter how corrupt they were, or how poor of a job they were doing. Brutus knew he had to do something to save Rome, and ridding the word of Julius Caesar seemed to be the only option available.