Brutus, Villain or Victim “The truth is you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed”-Eminem. William Shakespeare’s play entitled The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar, centers around the protagonist Marcus Brutus. With this in mind, for centuries, whether Brutus is a villain or a victim has been disputed. In the end, Brutus’s best friend Caesar dies, Brutus’s wife Portia dies, and he himself dies. Despite, Brutus murdering his best friend, he’s more of a victim than a villain. . . “Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind”-Theodore Roosevelt. When determining one’s character, words …show more content…
On page 782 Brutus says “For let the gods so speed me, as I love the name of honor more than I fear death”. In short, the quote signifies he believes in honor more than he fears death. Later, Brutus realizes his life is up, as a result he decides to kill himself as a honorable man, thus, proving his conviction to his word. On page 831 Brutus says “ Not that I loved Caesar less , but that I loved Rome more”. Obviously, Brutus’s loyalty belongs to Rome more than the life of his beloved friend. That is to say, murder is justified by nationalism would be outrageous, but, Brutus’s actions weren't filled with the ill will of a villain. In short, Brutus dedication as a Roman is pure, although, his actions are those of a villain his intentions weren't villainous. “The ends justify the means”-Machiavelli. Though, Brutus held good will for his people, people focus on the results rather the means. In the end, Brutus ends up indirectly killing many Romans and causes chaos to a cordial country. Ultimately, Brutus is the main reason for all the chaos. In contrast with my earlier argument, I understand how anyone could perceive Brutus as a villain rather than a victim. On page 828, Brutus says “It shall advantage more than do us wrong”. In Act 3, Brutus trusting Antony, allows him to deliver a speech in the memory of Caesar. Unbeknownst to Brutus, Antony riles the citizens into a