Brutus From Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

'This was the noblest Roman of them all," (V.v. 2nd to last para.). Antony's eulogy of his former friend and compatriot shows that in spite of Brutus' tragic flaws and failings, the man was well-respected and loved. In fact, Brutus emerges as the protagonist and hero of Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, not the title character. Other characters only refer to Brutus with positive words and not a single statement disparages him in any way. Moreover, Brutus' thoughts, evident in his own speech in the play, show that he was true to his political ideals even if he was deluded and blinded by Cassius. Brutus' main tragic flaw was his prideful belief that killing Julius Caesar was the right thing to do. However, Brutus was blinded by pride mainly because he was a deeply conflicted man with conflicting loyalties. In spite of his flaws, Brutus remained clearly concerned for the welfare of the Roman state and its citizens more than for his own personal welfare. Based on his actions, his dialogue, and others' perceptions of him, Brutus emerges as the play's true tragic hero, one who was honorable, noble, and selfless in spite of being misguided and gullible.

Brutus' actions and dialogue shows that he was a conflicted individual who was therefore easily seduced by Cassius. Early in the play, Brutus tells Cassius about his worries and admits that he experienced great inner turmoil. "Vexed I am / Of late with passions of some difference ... poor Brutus, with himself at war, / Forgets the shows of love to other men." (I, ii). Brutus here demonstrates that his love for his friend and leader Julius Caesar conflicts strongly with his love for Roman republican democracy and the ideals of the state. Brutus also shows immense honesty and potential for emotional depth. Brutus' inner turmoil and sense of conflict caused him to be easily seduced by Cassius. Were it not for Cassius' conniving efforts, Brutus would have never gone along with the assassination plot. For example, in Act One, scene two, Cassius outright states, "Thy honorable metal may be wrought ... For who so firm that cannot be seduced?" (I, ii). Therefore, Brutus' flaw was his psychological weakness and his inner conflict. Brutus' guilt at the end of the play shows how deeply conflicted he was about murdering his friend.

Cassius and other main characters in the play utter only kind words about Brutus; he is well-respected in the eyes of others and is viewed as an honorable man. For example, Antony's words also illustrate Brutus' key personality traits: "He only, in a general-honest thought / And common good to all, made one of them / His life was gentle; and the elements / So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up / And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'" (V.v 2nd to last para.). Even Cassius, who emerges as a more selfish individual than Brutus, says "Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, / Thy honorable metal may be wrought ... For who so firm that cannot be seduced?" (I, ii). Not only men in power have high regards for Brutus; the general public holds him in high esteem too even after the assassination. For example, in Act III, scene 2 a citizen states, "The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!"

Brutus is conscious of his own nobility and justifies his misguided actions by a genuine concern for the Roman people and the integrity of the state. When he speaks to the public he states, "believe me for mine honour, and have / respect to mine honor, that you may believe," (III, ii towards beginning). However, he does not tell the public to believe him blindly. Rather, Brutus asks his audience to "censure" him and think critically: "that you may the better judge," (III, ii, same). Brutus also proves his own integrity by his reaction to the truth about Julius Caesar's intentions. "O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!" he cries (V, iii, towards end).