Is Brutus A Patriot Or Traitor Essay

815 Words4 Pages

How one views the character of Brutus can entirely change what one thinks of the rest of the story. Brutus was a patriot who wanted the best for Rome but his actions were wrongly influenced, and this viewpoint affects the interpretation of this story. His love and devotion for his country, along with the manipulation and lies from Cassius, resulted in the murder of Caesar. Even though there is more evidence pointing to the fact that Brutus was a patriot because of his loyalty to Rome, others could argue he was a traitor because he betrayed and killed his close friend Julius Caesar. Even though both sides are reasonable arguments, the events leading up to the death of Caesar and the aftermath proved Brutus to be a patriot. Brutus was loyal …show more content…

The text says, “Be patient till the end. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’s love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” This comment by Brutus can clearly show us how he felt Rome was more important than Caesar. With the help of rhetorical appeals and strong language, he can convey his feelings to the audience and convince the audience that his thought process was right. Despite his actions being wrong and unjust, he just wanted the best for Rome as a country and for the citizens. Another comment made by Brutus was, “I would not, Cassius. Yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honor in one eye and death i' th' other, And I will look on both indifferently, For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honor more than I fear death.” This tells us how much his reputation also mattered to him. Furthermore, the manipulation used by Cassius