Is Julius Caesar A Victim Or Villain?

In the discussion of Julius Caesar, one controversial issue is how did he die. On the one hand, he is more of a victim than villain. On the other hand, he can be a villain more than a victim. Everyone has a different perspective for if he is a victim or villain. In the following paragraphs, there will be a comparison on Mark Antony’s Funeral Speech and Brutus’s Funeral Speech on whether Julius Caesar is a victim or villain.

First, Julius Caesar demonstrates in his characteristic that shows that he is a dictator. In Brutus’s Funeral Speech it says, “Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” (3.2.23-25). In this quote that Brutus said shows that if Caesar were to have ruled he would not be a great ruler and would of took the people’s rights away. Another characteristic that Brutus shows about Julius Caesar in his quote is, “…as he was valiant, I honour him: but—as he was ambitious, I slew him” (3.2.26-28). In this quote that Brutus said shows that Caesar was ambitious which means that he was eager to rule.

Second, in Mark Antony’s speech, it shows Caesar being more of a victim than a villain. For example, “The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answered it" (3.2.79-82). In this quote that Antony said shows that it

Brutus believed that Caesar was ambitious, when in reality he was well caring and understanding. In Brutus’s speech he mentions that Caesar is ambitious, “…as he was valiant, I honour him: but—as he was ambitious, I slew him” (3.2.2628). But Antony knows that Caesar is a victim for the fact that he shows sympathy for others than just himself, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept” (3.2.93). Therefore, there is more evidence in Antony’s speech, showing that Caesar is a