Julius Caesar

Was Brutus a traitorous villain or selfless hero? Brutus was definitely the main villain in the story of Julius Caesar. Brutus was an evil man. He plotted against his own best friend, one that he loved very dearly. But using the excuse that killing Caesar was for the good of all Rome proves one thing. Although it may seem that this is a perfectly fine reason to kill someone, it isn’t. Plotting against someone who completely trusts and loves you is never the right thing to do. Also, Brutus had been tempted into doing this treacherous act by someone else.

You should never believe what someone else is saying to you, because they may just be trying to change your opinion. He was tempted into doing this horrifying act by a cunning and dangerous man. He fell into the trap. If Brutus had been a true friend, or even just a man with the right morals, he would never have even considered it, or even stood to listen to the lies and deceit. Antony had even confirmed this fact, by saying, “For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all.

For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart. ” (Antony. Act 3. Scene 2. 172-177) Antony had indeed proven that Brutus had been a great friend to Caesar, and even Caesar had been surprised that Brutus had been one of the ones plotting against him. “Et tu, Brute? ” (Caesar. Act 3. Scene 1. 77) Caesar had loved and trusted Caesar so much, and with his dying breath, he had showed his disappointment and hurt. Someone who has betrayed you will always be a traitor, and can not possibly be shown as a hero.

Brutus had said, “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. ” (Brutus. Act 3. Scene 2. 18-20) Brutus believed that he was helping Rome, but in fact, after Marc Antony’s speech, the townspeople of Rome had started to hate Brutus and the conspirators. Why? Brutus and his fellow conspirators had taken away their righteous ruler. His statement was terrible, because he used the excuse that he still loved Caesar, and he always did, but he loved Rome more than he loved his friend.

Why would you put the state above your morals? Why would you put your state above someone that you truly care about? Brutus was a horrible person just for doing that to his own friend. In fact, the only good thing about Brutus may be that his character isn’t evil all around. His feelings for the suggestions that Cassius had for him had been mixed at the beginning of the story. But he had listened to what Cassius had said: “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name by sounded more than yours?

Write them together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with ‘em, ‘Brutus’ will start a spirit as soon as ‘Caesar’. ” (Cassius. Act 1. Scene 2. 142-147) What is the meaning of this quote? Cassius had been trying to manipulate Brutus into helping him bring about the downfall of Caesar. Cassius was trying to make him believe that Brutus was as good as, if not better, than Caesar. But Brutus had indeed fallen for Cassius’ tricks and games. He listened to every word that the conniving man had told him to bring him to their side.

If Brutus had not done such a terrible thing, he would have been a good person. But the wrong that he had done was now stained onto his character. Brutus had been a good man and a loyal friend before all the events had started to unfold. He turned his own friend into his enemy by believing in what others had said about Caesar. After Cassius had planted that idea into Brutus’ head, Brutus had started on its path down the horrible road. Brutus, after you review all of the facts, is the true villain in this story, not the hero. He had lied, deceived and betrayed all of Rome, most especially his dearly beloved (now dead) friend.

What does this say about what kind of person Brutus is? No matter how much Brutus had tried to make everyone believe that he was only doing it for the good of Rome, he was also power hungry. Just the fact that he had taken what Cassius had said about Brutus being just as great as Caesar into consideration shows what kind of person Brutus is. Some may view him as a hero for ‘saving’ Rome. No, Brutus did not save Rome. He did not save his people. Ironically, they had turned against him. In the end, Brutus had gotten what he deserved: he died as well.