Betrayal In Julius Caesar

663 Words3 Pages

In the play, Julius Caesar the theme of betrayal is prevalent throughout the text. The theme is shown through characters such as Brutus, Cassius, and the other leading conspirators. Each of these characters were close friends and allies of Caesar that later betrayed him under the disguise of doing what was best for Rome and the Roman people. While they were really acting out of personal gain, greed, and hubris. This is shown through the action of the meeting to conspiring against and later killing Caesar.
Betrayal is a central theme in Julius Caesar, and it is portrayed in various ways throughout the play. The most obvious example of betrayal is the assassination of Caesar by his closest friends. Caesar is betrayed by the very people who he believed were loyal to him, and this act of betrayal ultimately leads to his downfall. However, Brutus's betrayal of Caesar is the most significant example of betrayal in the play, as he is portrayed as a noble character who is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his love for his country. …show more content…

When Brutus stabs Caesar on the senate steps the line “Et tu Brute?” (Shakespeare, Act 3, Scene 1). Shows that Caesar was truly shocked by his betrayal. Brutus is known as one of the biggest traitors in history, though Shakespeare tried to write him as different. He attempted to paint Brutus as a character who is torn between loyalty to his friend Caesar and his love for Rome. He is convinced by the conspirators that Caesar is a threat to the Republic, and he ultimately decides to join them in their plot to assassinate Caesar. Brutus justifies his betrayal by stating that he is not killing Caesar out of personal ambition but out of a desire to protect the Roman Republic. However, his decision to join the conspirators ultimately leads to Caesar's death and the downfall of the Roman