Julius Caesar
Writing Assignment #1
Throughout Shakespeare’s plays, very rarely is there a character that is black and white. It is very uncommon to find a character whose traits are easily distinguishable and decisive. Almost always a character has both its strengths and weaknesses. This is especially apparent in Shakespeare’s tragedy; Julius Caesar. Of the central characters, Brutus is perhaps the most characteristically diverse. He has both many strengths and weaknesses. Brutus’s strengths are he is a good judge of character, excellent at judging what others will think and very sensible. On the other hand, his weaknesses are that he is idealistic, easily manipulated and morally sensitive.
Brutus personality contains many individual strong points. The first of these is Brutus’s intelligence. He is very smart, especially when it comes to figuring out people’s true intentions. This is evident in the way Brutus acknowledges Cassius real objective while trying to flatter Brutus. Brutus says “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, / that you would have me seek into myself…” (1.2.63-64). Brutus recognizes that Cassius is trying to manipulate him, purely from flattery. Brutus is also clever in the way that he is aware of the manner in which others judge. He is aware that dressing in dark and hiding will only increase suspicion. Brutus recognizes that the only way to fool people is by acting happy: “Hide [your conspiracy] is smiles and affability: /…Not Erebus itself were dim enough/ to hide thee from prevention.” (2.1.82-85). An additional example of this is when Brutus states “…This shall make/ our purpose necessary, and not envious; / which so appearing to the common eye.” (2.1.177-179). This quotation was said after Brutus told the conspirators to kill Caesar respectfully, to alter what the Romans would construe the act as; a deed not a murder. Brutus is also a very sensible human being. Besides him, all the other conspirators agreed to the assassination without further deliberation. However, Brutus reveals to Cassius immediately that he will need time to consider his actions. Brutus states “I will consider; what you have to say/ I will with patience hear, and find a time…” (1.2.167-168). Brutus knows that such a severe action, as assassinating an emperor is, can not be agreed upon without serious thought. Another example of Brutus’s reasonableness is when he reminds his fellow conspirators that they must be gentlemanly in the way they go about their assassination. Brutus says “Let us be sacrificers but not butchers/…We shall be called purgers not murderers.”(2.1.166). Brutus warns that the failure to do so will result in the Roman people becoming angered with the new leaders. Brutus demonstrates that his character is full of strengths in the play Julius Caesar.
