Examples Of Brutus Motives In Julius Caesar

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the reader learns that two men, Brutus and Cassius, are concerned that Julius Caesar, the future dictator of Rome, has harnessed too much power. And as part of their scheme against him, they both intend to have him killed. But they have very different motivations from one another. This essay will compare and contrast the motives of Brutus and Cassius in the conspiracy against Caesar.

Focusing on Brutus, in Act 2, Scene 1, while he is alone in his orchard, Brutus's reasoning for killing Caesar is revealed. "It must be by his death; and, for my part, / I know no personal cause to spurn at him, / But for the general. He would be crowned - / How that might change his nature, there's the

Brutus states he has no personal grudge nor feels any jealousy against Caesar. Instead, he only wishes to remove him from power for the greater good of Rome. Furthermore, he fears that, once Caesar is crowned, his nature and morals will change destructively.

Unlike Brutus, Cassius's reasoning is more complex and different from Brutus's. And there are multiple reasons why he wants to prevent Caesar from holding absolute power. In Act 1, Scene 2, while Cassius is conversing with Brutus, one of these motives is revealed. "I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, / As well as I do know your outward favor. / Well, honor is the subject of my story. / I cannot tell what you and other men / Think of this life; but for my single self, / I had as lief not be as live to be / In awe of such a thing as I myself." (Shakespeare 90-96). Here, Cassius is expressing his discontent with living under Caesar's rule and suggests that he would rather die than continue to live in a society where Caesar holds all power. Additionally, this could suggest Cassius's jealousy of Caesar's position and influence. Later in the scene, Cassius goes on to describe a time when he and Caesar were both caught in a storm at sea. He then explains to Brutus "For