ipl-logo

Brutus As A Traitor In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

899 Words4 Pages

In William Shakespeare's play “Julius Caesar”, we read through many lies and betrayals as the play mainly revolves around two friends, Brutus and Caesar. Brutus is a patriot, but many believe that he was also a traitor after what he had done to the country of Rome. He risked killing his best friend, Caesar, to make Rome slave-free and for everyone to have the power of freedom without being forced to do jobs. The reason why many people believe that he is a traitor is due to him betraying Caesar at the beginning to only end up stabbing him. After Caesar died and Rome went into battle twice, Brutus realized his mistakes and killed himself with a sword - since he knew that he betrayed Rome, the commoners, and his crew. Brutus had a tough decision to make whether or not he …show more content…

Brutus had the decision to either save Rome from Caesar who was becoming a dictator, or stay loyal to him. However, in Act 2, Brutus specifically explains that they must kill Caesar to save the Roman Republic: “Our course will seem too blood, Caius, Cassius, to cut the head off and then hack the limbs, like wrath in death and envy afterwards; for Antony is but a limb of Caesar: let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.” Furthermore, Brutus states that he doesn’t want to become a villain to the Romans for killing Caesar, but a hero for killing him and saving the Roman Republic. This is a sign of being a patriot, because he is showing his dedication to the Romans more than he is to his best friend, Caesar. On the other hand, many could argue that betraying Caesar and listening to Cassius’s lies in the beginning should have Brutus listed as a traitor. In addition, an example of Brutus being a traitor is during the stabbing in Act 3: “Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.” This is where Caesar looks up at Brutus as Brutus stabs him. This was all because of Brutus betraying Caesar after both being good friends. After the stabbing, Brutus states that he doesn’t regret his decision, but later on

Show More
Related
1288 Words | 6 Pages

By valuing the honor he gets from Rome rather than his own life, he is willing to risk everything if it means that he is able to be honorable and display his loyalty to Rome. This mindset all in all leads him to join the conspiracy and murder Caesar, fearing that Caesar will turn Rome into a dictatorship, dishonoring the place he calls home. Brutus displays all the traits of a hero like loyalty, proving to Rome that he has honor for his home and is willing to die for it. In his insane commitment to Rome, Brutus sets an example of heroism from a sense of loyalty, not for one, but for

Read More
900 Words | 4 Pages

They said, “Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.” (173-175). His flaw, however, is in thinking that killing Caesar will ensure that Rome's early ideal of a Republic will continue. When Brutus realizes his error in trusting the other conspirators and in committing a dishonorable act, he loses his compass, falling into despair. After the battle in Act 5, Brutus further realizes that his actions will lead to a version of Rome exactly the opposite of what he had in mind.

Read More
575 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, a man named Marcus Julius Brutus makes controversial decisions that both angers and swoons the nation of Rome. The people who are angered see Brutus as selfish, unnecessary, and overall dishonorable. Although Brutus seem disgraceful to some, his honorable characteristics is shown when he cares for his friends, is selfless around others, and acts morally responsible when under pressure Brutus decides to join a conspiracy to kill his best friend in order to get honor. When I first realized this, it seemed like the most dishonorable thing to do.

Read More
673 Words | 3 Pages

Brutus, the noblest of Romans was a man that was respected by all that knew him. He was a person that was trusted by all, even Caesar himself. He was well known for being noble and people called him the noble Brutus. Brutus himself was a true Roman who would do anything for Rome even if it meant killing a person. So, when the conspirator’s went up to him and told him that Caesar was going to become a tyrant after he is crowned he joined them in their scheme to assassinate him for the better of Rome.

Read More
600 Words | 3 Pages

Cassius and others confused the mind of Brutus into thinking something of which they were not sure. Brutus felt it was his duty to protect the people of Rome. So, he had to kill Caesar to do that. He is a betrayer and a patriot but it depends on how you view the situation; he was a betrayer towards Caesar who he supposedly called his friend, but was a patriot to

Read More
853 Words | 4 Pages

He soon learns that one wrong decision could change his life forever. Through the play, Brutus has to deal with loyalty and right and wrong. Brutus knew his friend Caesar was growing too powerful, but does that make it right to avenge his friend who cares and trusts him? How can someone choose between loyalty to his friend and loyalty to his country? As the conspirators keep pushing Brutus to join their group, he eventually does decide that his country

Read More
160 Words | 1 Pages

To begin with, the story of Julius Caesar is an incredible event that has occurred; the common question that comes to mind when someone reads about these historical events is, “is Brutus a betrayer or patriot?” Thus, to my personal opinion I greatly believe that Brutus is a patriot, because he killed Julius Caesar his friend so that he could save the people of Rome and give them better. However, on the other hand some might debate that Brutus us a massive betrayer, because he not only killed someone but also his suppose friend. As a result, it is clear that Brutus is a majestic patriot, because he went through the agony and difficulty of killing his friend due to the fact that he believed that the people of Rome needed better; therefore, what

Read More
421 Words | 2 Pages

“Brutus the Patriot” Brutus is most recognized and seen as a betrayer to fellow citizens and fellow leader Caesar. Throughout the story I think Brutus is a patriot. His time as leader showed patriotism towards his beloved Rome. Despite the assassination of Caesar, Brutus took this decision because he did not want Rome to go under. Caesar was leading Rome into the wrong direction causing Brutus to take action to take Rome to the greatest city.

Read More
298 Words | 2 Pages

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Brutus is portrayed as a noble Roman who joins the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar out of a sense of duty to his country. However, his motives are complex and multifaceted. One quote that sheds light on Brutus' motives is when he says, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more" (Act 3, Scene 2). This quote shows that Brutus believed he was acting in the best interest of Rome, even though it meant betraying someone he cared about. This conflict between personal loyalty and public duty is a theme that resonates in modern society as well.

Read More
473 Words | 2 Pages

Brutus was a patriot for what he did for his love of Rome and its people. Even though, the freedom of Rome and its people was why Brutus assassinated Caesar; others consider him a betrayer for he helped plan and carry out the assassination of Caesar. Brutus may seem like a betrayer to some because he helped plan and assassinate Caesar, his best friend. However, Brutus didn’t want to kill Caesar at first.

Read More
913 Words | 4 Pages

The Character Brutus In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus is a character that has the most difficult decision in the play. To disobey his loyalty to Caesar, or to disobey his loyalty to Rome. At first we all believe that Brutus is a good guy and wouldn’t turn his back on Caesar.

Read More
1186 Words | 5 Pages

Brutus knows that what they plan is wrong even though he has decided to be one of the conspirators

Read More
1018 Words | 5 Pages

The Actions of Brutus in Julius Caesar Throughout Julius Caesar, readers are given the opportunities to understand the motives of the multitude of characters involved in the play. Brutus is very misunderstood, as his characteristics shown during the plotting of killing Caesar did not truly match what he really felt. His true colors are shown after he realizes the damage that has been done, and after seeing Caesar’s ghost two times. Brutus is manipulated by Cassius and others during the play, which contribute to his actions and feelings of sorrow and guilt. He is a man of honor, and is recognized as one by Antony after dying.

Read More
676 Words | 3 Pages

Brutus joined the conspiracy with the thought that he would be saving Rome from a potentially dangerous tyrant. Later on, he realized that Caesar was a great ruler and that Rome did not benefit from his death. In act V scene i lines 56-57 Brutus says “Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors’ hands, unless thou bring’st them with thee” (Shakespeare 949). This line shows how Brutus realizes and acknowledges his mistake of killing Caesar and calls himself a traitor while talking to Octavius.

Read More
421 Words | 2 Pages

Brutus is very idealistic, and he puts his loyalty to the Romans and state over the loyalty to his friend, Julius Caesar. “The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! It is impossible that ever Rome should breed thy fellow” (Act 5 scene 5 L122). Contrary to popular belief that Brutus made this conclusion by himself; one can see that he began listening to the wrong people influencing his decisions. This lead to him caring too much about what people would think of him after he kills Caesar.

Read More

More about Brutus As A Traitor In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Open Document