Brutus refers to such power and the possible dangerous consequences of unbridled/unchecked ambition. Caesar only has a small part, but his presence and death dominate the action.ĭuring the Roman period of Julius Caesar’s rule and up until his death in 44 BCE, there seems to be a climate of fear surrounding the absolute power of the king/dictator. However, Shakespeare also depicts Caesar as a courageous leader, who boldly defies Calpurnia’s premonition of evil to greet the crowd. The depiction of Caesar is ambivalent there are innuendos throughout the play that he was becoming corrupted by power and that Rome was under threat. He believes that Caesar is capable of the ‘abuse of greatness” (Brutus (*2/1/15) He fears that the crown may well “put a sting in him”. Brutus worries that if Caesar is crowned as king, “how that might change his nature”.Upon hearing the noise of the common people in the square, he notes, “I do fear, the people Choose Caesar for their king!”.Casca notes that “the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Caesar as a king.”.“If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.” (There was “more foolery yet”. Casca does not trust Caesar’s motives.He believes that this is just a ruse to conceal his true motives and that he is perhaps more sinister because of an underlying deceptive stance. Casca admits that he seemed “very loath to lay his fingers off it.” Caesar acts the reluctant king, but only to gauge the reaction of the “rabblement” that “hooted and clapped their chopt hands and threw up their sweaty nightcaps”.Casca states: “He put it by thrice, every time gentler than other and at every putting by mine honest neighbours shouted.” (Antony offered him the crown.Brutus discounts Casca’s recount of Caesar’s reluctance to accept the crown. The conspirators, especially Brutus, appear to be wary of Caesar’s motives. Shakespeare presents Brutus as someone who appears to be motivated by patriotism and love of “Rome”. Brutus also states, “He would be crown’d How that might change his nature, there’s the question.”It is the bright day that brings forth the adder.” (2/15)īrutus and the conspirators are skeptical of Caesar.“I know that virtue to be in you Brutus “ ( Cassius: Act 1 /2/ 95).He feared Caesar’s power: “As he was ambitious, I slew him. As Brutus points out in his speech, it is “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”.Upon Caesar’s death, Cinna pronounces, “Liberty.Brutus assures the populace and senators that there is no harm intended, “Nor to no Roman else”.And furthermore, “let’s all cry, Peace, freedom and liberty”. Antony pays tribute to his patriotic fervour upon Brutus’s death when he states “This was the noblest Roman of them all”.
He took part in the assassination because he “loved Rome more” than his leader.īrutus is convinced that his reasons “are so full of good regard”, and that those who love and are patriotic to Rome will understand the decision and share his love of freedom. He reassures the public that his action had a purpose and that he has “no personal cause to spurn”. During Caesar’s funeral, Brutus speaks at the Forum, the public political space where he enunciates his views, confidently and without sarcasm, unlike Mark Antony. After Caesar’s death, Brutus states, “ambition’s debt is paid”. It focuses on Julius Caesar’s rule up until his death in 44 BC at the hands of a group of conspirators who purportedly fear Caesar’s ambitious motives.Īs a ringleader, Brutus fears for the future of Rome owing to the what he believes are dangerous consequences of unbridled ambition. The play is set during a time of intense political rivalry, amid the fear of an entrenched dictatorship. However, despite his best intentions, Brutus unleashes civil strife and the co-conspirators come to a bloody end at the hands of their rival, Mark Antony. He professes to be motivated by his patriotic love of “Rome” and values allegiance to his country more than friendship. To a large extent, Shakespeare depicts Brutus as a “noble” Roman who purports to act in the best interests of the state.
Brutus: the flawed hero? by Dr Jennifer Minter