The Honorable Brutus In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar puts the definition of honor and being honorable into a many of different perspectives. He makes the reader question who is and isn’t honorable. Was Brutus honorable, or Julius, or even Mark Antony? For me, the question has an obvious answer; Brutus was honorable and acted with respectable actions. He loved and looked after his country and had stopped at nothing to make sure that Rome was in the best state. In addition to his love of the country, he also had a love for the people. Brutus had given compassion to others, even going so far as to offer his life to please the people of Rome. He also had a firm sense of loyalty, even though his loyalty lied most to Rome. Even though Brutus had much internal conflict, I truly believe that Brutus is an honorable man.

He made so many sacrifices for his country. Brutus’ most notable sacrifice was Caesar. He was torn between his love for Rome and his love for Caesar, but in the end his affection was bound with Rome. “Not that I lov’d Caesar less, but that I lov’d Rome more” (3.2.21). After the assassination, Brutus left his home and his wife and fought in the civil war that had taken Rome for a spin. Portia, Brutus’ wife, kills herself in his absence. “Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong:—for with her death That tidings came;—with this she fell distract, And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire.” (4.3.152-156). Even though Brutus lost nearly everything, both his home and his wife, he advanced in the civil war for the side that he believed was right. Throughout the entire 5th act, Brutus continued to fight until he knew that defeat was the only option. “Caesar, now be still: I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.” (5.5.50-51). In the entire play Brutus always loved one thing the most;