Brutus'soliloquy Essay

Sidney Woodard
McGlaughlin
Honors English 2 Period 3
27 January 2023
TITLE
In William Shakespeare’s play, The tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus’ soliloquy in Act 2 Scene One examines the contemplation and difficult decision that he must make in order to protect Rome from Julius Caesar. Brutus, alongside Cassius, formed to join the conspirators, a group of senators who are working together to assassinate Caesar, a Roman general who ruled himself as dictator over Rome. Therefore, Brutus and the conspirators believe that they must kill Julius Caesar because of his ambition to be crowned, which would lead to mass destruction and ruin Rome. Through Brutus’ soliloquy, Shakespeare uses imagery, tone, and figurative language to demonstrate the relationship

It is just a few hours before dawn on March 15th, also known as the Ides of March, and as Brutus lay wide awake gathering his running thoughts he expresses, “It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that…” (Shakespeare 2.1.14-15). These lines show that even on a bright sunny day, evil will shine through. Additionally, the imagery creates suspension because Brutus clearly states that Caesar will use his power for his own evil intentions, despite the friendship they once shared. Brutus compares Caesar to a dangerous and evil animal, specifically, he claims to, “...think [of] him as a serpent’s egg. Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous” (Shakespeare 2.1.32-33) These lines are stating that if Julius Caesar continues to gain more power and control over Rome, his actions will become too powerful and evil for his own good. This use of imagery also allows the audience to better understand the way that Brutus feels about Caesar, and try to validate why he must kill him, before the destruction of Rome

Brutus starts his soliloquy as he contemplates whether or not to kill Caesar stating, “It must be by his death; and for my part” (Shakespeare 2.1.10). As this is the start of his words, it sets and highlights the ultimate tone where Brutus feels confused and tries to justify all of the things he is saying. Furthermore, Brutus speaks out loud that ultimate destruction will erupt if Caesar gets crowned and that he must stop him. Brutus concludes his soliloquy by stating the fact that conspirators must make larger claims in order to go forth with assassinating Caesar, despite this, he closes his words with that they must, “...kill him in the shell” (Shakespeare 2.1.34). These are the closing lines to his soliloquy, as he explains that Brutus, and the conspirators must kill Caesar before he becomes ruler over Rome. Additionally, by bluntly stating that they must kill him, represents the exact tone and message of what they will do, rather than just leading on the idea of Caesar’s