Julia Caesar Essay, Research Paper

In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, one of the main characters, Brutus, is faced with a major problem. He has to decide whether or not to join the conspiracy, which is to kill his best friend Caesar or let him get crowned king. Thoughout the play he has to decide and his choice may effect Rome forever. Brutus decides to join the conspirators and help kill Julius Caesar. His actions show that he is a very patriotic, one who loves his country and upholds its interests, citizen of Rome. First, he shows great courage in killing Caesar for the love of his country. Second, all the people of Rome adore him because of his loyalty and finally, Brutus is willing to stand up to the fact that he helped kill Julius Caesar.

The first reason for thinking that Brutus is a patriotic man is that he killed Caesar for the city of Rome. He new that Caesar would have taken over Rome and made bad decisions for the citizens or Rome. “ It must be by death: and, for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general. He would be crown’d” (page 47 lines 10-12) Brutus also new that it was for the best of Rome for Caesar to be killed. He told the people of Rome that he loved Caesar but loved Rome more. “… not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (page 115 lines 22-23) That shows that he wants the best for as most people as possible and not just for one person even if they are a friend. “Had you rather Caesar were living, and die slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?” (pages 115 lines 23-25)

Another reason for thinking that Brutus is a patriotic citizen is that all of the people of Rome loved him. They loved him before the death of Julius Caesar and they still love him. “Live, Brutus! Live, live!” (page 117 line 48) They believe that he has done the right thing for Rome and think they he is a hero. “Give him a statue with his ancestors” (page 117 line 51) Also the rest of the conspirators loved Brutus too. They believe that he should be the ruler of Rome because he would run a more democrat government compared to the dictator ship Caesar was going for. The conspirators like that he loves Rome more then Caesar and would do anything for the people. “ Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper, and look you lay it in the praetor’s chair, where Brutus may find it, and throw this in at his window…” (page 43 lines 148-151) That quotes is telling you that Cassius want Brutus to know that everyone thinks he is great and to take over Julius Caesar.

The final reason for thinking that Brutus is a patriotic man is that even thought he helped kill Caesar he can still stand up to what he had done. This shows that he is not afraid of anything and doesn’t care if Mark Antony hates him for it because in his heart he believes that he has done the right thing. He may have killed Caesar but he went to the funeral as well as all the other’s involved and even spoke to all the people telling them why he killed Caesar. “Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear: believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe…” (pages 115 lines 14-17) That is telling you that he did it for Rome and will tell everyone.

In the play there were many other character that agreed and disagreed with Brutus’s decision of killing Julius Caesar. One character that doesn’t think Brutus is a patriotic man is his wife, Portia. During the scene when all the conspirators are over at his house late at night coming and going as they please makes her wonder a little bit. Portia asks Brutus what is up and he lies to her and tells her that he is sick. “I am not well in heath, and that is all.” She knows that there is something not right. “Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, he would embrace the means to come by it.” She knows him to well and know exactly when he is lying. Another character part of the conspiracy, Cassius, he thinks that Brutus made the right decision, which was whether or not to kill Caesar. All the others who were part of the killing also like that Brutus joined.

Though the eyes of all the citizens of Rome and the conspirators Marcus Brutus is a patriotic man. He has showed his loyalty first through killing Julius Caesar, second by all the people of Rome loving and adoring him and finally he is willing to stand up to the fact that he helped kill Caesar.

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