Brutus: Just an illusion?

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.3Aziz Khabirpour

Ms. Martin

English 10

Dec. 7, 2001

Brutus: Just an illusion?

Noble, selfless, a patriot! These are the qualities that come to ones mind when hearing the name Brutus. The personas distinguished qualities are unquestionable, but would Brutus last if he were not a created character in a script but a person in a real life scenario, or is he not genuine enough to survive? ‘The end justifies the means’, is what Niccolo Machiavelli once said. Brutus is unquestionably the most patriotic character in the play, but the end definitely doesn’t justify his means! His patriotism exceeds into a form of nationalism. He kills a friend for the benefit of Rome; however the love for ones country will never justify the murder of anyone’s beloved and trusted companion.

In the play, Julius Caesar, the Plebeians play a great role. In act 3 scene 2, the scene at the marketplace, this becomes evident. The two perhaps most persuasive monologues ever, given by Brutus and Anthony, are the climax of the book, and show how extremely naïve the plebeians of Rome were. If Anthony and Brutus were to give the same speeches in real public, for example in a political campaign, the response of the listeners would be much more questioning, and a lot less naïve. The plebeians of Rome however, were easily fooled by the propaganda performed by both ...

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In the play, Julius Caesar, the Plebeians play a great role. In act 3 scene 2, the scene at the marketplace, this becomes evident. The two perhaps most persuasive monologues ever, given by Brutus and Anthony, are the climax of the book, and show how extremely naïve the plebeians of Rome were. If Anthony and Brutus were to give the same speeches in real public, for example in a political campaign, the response of the listeners would be much more questioning, and a lot less naïve. The plebeians of Rome however, were easily fooled by the propaganda performed by both Brutus and Anthony. People today would question every statement of Brutus, and wonder if it is authentic. The public would do this since they are completely corrupted by society. But were the Romans not corrupted, or is it just that they didn’t have a choice and Shakespeare made them act the way they did!

Not only the Plebeians are naïve. Brutus would probably qualify as the most naïve from them all. He has little mind of his own. He is created with a heart that doesn’t doubt. “No, not an oath! If not the face of men, the sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse- if these be motives weak, break off betimes, and very man hence to his idle bed; so let high-sighted tyranny range on, till each man drop by lottery.” (2.1.111) He will believe anything if it is said in favor of Rome. His nobility is another illusion displayed in the play that would never exceed to that extend, in a real life scenario.

Brutus’ most pure qualities such as unlimited selflessness and nobility emerge especially in the market place scene. “With this I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.” (3.2.37) If Brutus were to be alive, his selflessness would be used by society and would find himself constantly doing things for others.

Does Brutus does not seem have any faults or flaws, unless naivete and sensitivity is seen as something bad! Is he a perfect person? Apparently not perfect enough, since Anthony manages the to convince the crowd that Brutus is, but a tyrant, trying to get rule over Rome. So what is it that makes the people see a tyrant in Brutus? He is anything but a tyrant!

Brutus is a well-developed character. However as it was clearly stated, he does not work out in real life. His human qualities are too pure to work out in society. The reasons to his actions are that Shakespeare wanted him to be the way he was, and nothing else. The character really didn’t have a great choice. The persona can in a way be compared to communism; the concept of everybody being completely equal. However human qualities such as greed and ignorance make it hard for the concept to work out, it is a great concept… but only in theory, just like Brutus.