The Actions Of Brutus In Julius Caesar

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.
Brutus is first introduced as a trustful man whose goal is to be the best for the people of Rome. He is a good friend

He truly believed he would be saving Rome from tyranny by killing Caesar. After speaking to Cassius, Brutus decided that he would kill Caesar for the people of Rome, because he was known to be extremely honorable and felt that he would rather die than be considered dishonorable. He should not have joined the conspiracy because many of the problems that occurred after Caesar’s death would not cause Brutus to feel a huge amount of sadness and guilt to drive him to commit suicide. He did not necessarily choose to join the conspiracy, but was completely tricked by Cassius. Cassius made him believe that if Brutus killed Caesar, he would be ruled the crown and the people of Rome would love him even more than they did before. In Act I, Scene 2, Cassius manipulates Brutus by telling Brutus that he will be his mirror and will help him see things in himself that he does not see. “Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear; And since you know you cannot see yourself so well as by reflection, I, your glass will modestly discover to yourself… etc. (1.2.66-78) He also tells Brutus a story of when he and Caesar went swimming and Cassius saved him from drowning, causing Caesar to become sick. He explained how Caesar’s cries to Titinius resembled those of a little girl. /Did I the tired Caesar. And this man is now become a god, and Cassius, A wretched creature, and must mend his body/ Alas, it cried, ‘Give

Cassius wants to kill Caesar mainly because he thought that Caesar would abuse his power and oppress the people of Rome. Secretly, he wanted Caesar killed so he could have the crown. Brutus originally plans on staying neutral through the assassination, but is persuaded by Cassius to think the same views as him and be more into the killing. Cassius’s motives are less noble because he is the most willing to killing Caesar, and wants to kill Antony as well, which in Brutus’s eyes, would just be like cutting the arm off of someone who is already dead. Brutus is more secretive about the assassination, he wants it to be quick and does not want to kill anyone else like Cassius. Brutus is very cautious because he cares about what the people of Rome are going to think of the assassination. During Brutus’s speech to the people of Rome, he chooses his words wisely to turn the crowd so they favor him. Their views are changed after Antony gives his speech, in which he exposes the conspirators, specifically Brutus, and how he is an “honorable man”. “The crowd is swayed by Brutus’s insistence that Caesar would have had all of Rome enslaved to his ambition, until Mark Antony gives his own speech, pointing out Caesar’s many good deeds and reading aloud his will, in which the people of Rome are well provided for”(Ridley-Elmes). This contributes to Brutus’s feelings of guilt that seem to get stronger throughout the