Julius Caesar’s desire to become the greatest ruler of Rome causes the Roman people to want him dead- including his best friend. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, a group of men devise a scheme to kill the treacherous leader of their country. Conspirators believe Julius Caesar’s ambition will inevitably lead to the downfall of Rome. Each man with their own specific reason unite as conspirators to get rid of Caesar. Through his role in the conspiracy, Brutus’ actions depict Brutus as honorable and gullible. Brutus’ gullibility allows for him to be too trusting of the people he should not be trusting. Cassius is the one of the leaders of the conspiracy, and it is Cassius’ plan to have Brutus join, since Brutus is the best friend of Caesar, and he is also greatly influential over the Plebians. In order to get Brutus to trust Cassius, Cassius says to him, “Men at some point are …show more content…
Even though Brutus kills with the intent of helping the people, many are focused on the aspect that Caesar is the ruler of Rome and no one should kill him- especially his best friend. As Caesar is stabbed, Caesar looks his best friend as says, “Et tu, Brute?” (3.1.77). Caesar is heartbroken to see his best friend is willing to kill him. The idea of a man killing his best friend influences people’s mind to view Brutus as a traitor. However, Caesar is seen as a threat to Rome’s wellbeing, and Brutus thinks Caesar’s absence will not hinder Rome. Brutus does not kill out of jealousy of Caesar. Brutus is speaking to the Plebians and he says, “I have done no more to / Caesar than you shall do to Brutus” (3.2.35-36). By saying the Plebians can do unto Brutus the same thing Brutus did unto Caesar, shows Brutus honestly believes he thinks his actions are honorable and should not be negatively judged. In other words, Brutus kills Caesar with the intent of helping Rome which means Brutus is not a traitor to his