Julius Caesar: Marcus Brutus Character AnalysisWilliam Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is mainlybased on the assassination of Julius Caesar. The character who was in chargeof the assassination was, ironically, Marcus Brutus, a servant and close friendto Julius Caesar. But what would cause a person to kill a close friend? Afterexamining Brutus’ relationship to Caesar, his involvement in the conspiracy, andhis importance to the plot, the truth can be revealed. Marcus Brutus, a servant and close friend to Caesar, has a strongrelationship with Caesar but a stronger relationship with Rome and its people.
Brutus is very close to Caesar. In Roman times, the only way for someone to getclose to a person of high rank is if he/she is close to him/her. In many pointsof the play, Brutus was talking and next to Caesar. Brutus also loves Caesar butfears his power. In the early acts of the play, Brutus says to Cassius, “Whatmeans this shouting? I do fear the people do choose Caesar for their kingyet Ilove him well.
“(act 1, scene 2, ll. 85-89), as he is speaking to Cassius. Brutusloves Caesar, but would not allow him to “climber-upwardHe then unto the ladderturns his back”(act 2, scene 1, ll. 24,26). As the quote says, Brutus would notallow Caesar to rise to power and then turn his back onto the people of Rome. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, Brutus talks to Antony about Caesar’sdeath.
“Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrongof Rome”(act 3, scene 1, ll. 185-186). Brutus says that Antony cannot seetheir(members of the conspiracy) hearts, which are full of pity. Again, thisshows how Brutus loved Caesar but cared for the life of Rome and its people more. This is the only reason Brutus would conspire against Caesar. For Brutus says tohimself, “I know no personal cause to spurn at himHow that might change hisnature”(act 2, scene1, ll.
1,13) Caesar’s relationship with Brutus is alsostrong. Just allowing Brutus to speak to Caesar shows his respect for Brutus. Caesar feels that Brutus is noble to him and does the right thing regardless ofpersonal danger. On the Ides of March, as Caesar was assassinated, Caesar’s lastline is: “Et tu, Brute?–Then fall, Caesar.
“(act 3, scene 1, l. 85). This showsthat Caesar would not die without Brutus’ stab. Caesar realizes that there mustbe a noble reason for this assassination if Brutus was in it. This again showshow much Caesar respects Brutus. Brutus and Caesar both respect each other, butin different ways.
Marcus Brutus had a very important role in the conspiracy against Caesar. He was the “back-bone” of the plan. According to Cassius, Brutus’ main purposein the conspiracy is for an insurance policy. The people will think, sinceBrutus is noble to Caesar, that there is a good reason for Caesar’sassassination. Brutus will also be the leader of the conspiracy for another”insurance policy” for the assassination. Cassius is the one who declares this,”Brutus shall lead the way, and we will grace his heels with the most boldestand best hearts of Rome.
“(act 3, scene 1, ll. 135-136). Again, if Brutus leadsthe way, the people will think that the death of Julius Caesar wasn’t such a badthing. Brutus also declares to himself that his role in the conspiracy is tosave Rome. He says to the people that, “If then that friend demand why Brutusrose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that Iloved Rome more.
“(Act 3,scene 2,ll. 21-24). If Brutus was not in the plot of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, theconspiracy would probably not have worked. Since Brutus “loved Rome more.
“(Act3,scene2, ll. 23-24), he decided to be a part of the conspiracy. If he hadn’tloved Rome more than Caesar, he would not have joined in the assassination ofJulius Caesar. Cassius and the rest of the conspirators would probably not havecontinued on without Brutus because they would have no “insurance” afterwards. The people would think that there was no reason for Caesar’s death and mostlikely beheaded all the conspirators. Also, if Brutus was not in the play, thewhole end of the play would not ever occur.
Brutus would not be there to have anarmy or kill himself, and Cassius will already be beheaded. If Brutus was not inthe play,
