A Character Analysis

One of the most significant timbers within Shakespe ars Julius Caesar is that of Brutus, a very complex individual whose make forions pick up significant imp lick upon the reddents on the play. This paper examines the character of Brutus and assesses both the unassail able and bad elements of his character. A look back of how these qualities pre displace inner conflict within Brutus is offered together with an ex imageation of the slip mode in which these conflicts manifest themselves.It is the intention of this paper to prove that despite the feature that Brutus was adequate to(p) to absent his sloppedst relay stations, he is essentially a clean man who maintained his mention to the end. One of the most significant elements of Brutus character is his strict ideals. He is a nobleman, the noblest of Romans (V. v. 75) who is potently guided and influenced by matters of honor. He demonstrates a continual obsession with acting in a way that is right and just and speaks reg ularly of the need to create a commonwealth in Rome that is ruled by the votes of the senate as opposed to a bingle dictator.This creates a problem in his relationship with Caesar. Despite their close friendship, Brutus is concerned that Caesar will rise to power and then commit an act of betrayal by enforcing a dictatorship on the batch of Rome, climber-upward He then unto the ladder turns his back (II. ii. 24,26). It is clear that, for Brutus, his moral and ethical ideals be of higher importance than his friendship and love for Caesar and consequently he is able to commit the inhumane act of murder.However, whilst the murder itself is wrong, the situation that Brutus himself believes so strongly in the fact that his actions are for the not bad(predicate) of Rome, entails that he does, to an extent, maintain his honor. Brutus single minded obsession with morality entails that he can be tardily persuaded by others to carry out their will, provided it is presented as being f or the good of Rome. This reveals a supercharge, negative, element to his character he is naive. Cassius is able to manipulate Brutus obsession with honor in order to persuade him to murder Caesar, an ironic turn of events that on face value is anything but ethical.Brutus fails to recognize that he is being use by Cassius and Antony and seems to accept everything on face value, failing to question facts or consider the possibility that he could be deceived. This can be seen in the way he blindly accepts the letters from Cassius as being sent from the people of Rome and thus demonstrative of their will for Cesar to be removed. His parthenogeny entails that he allows others to play upon his ideals in order to entice him to perform the act of murder. Despite the fact this murder causes him anguish, Our hearts you see not they are pitiful and pity to the general wrong of Rome (III, i, 185-186), he allows Cassius and Anthony to convince him that committing such acts will win the hea rts of the people of Rome, If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer not that I love Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. (III. ii. 21-24). Brutus gullibility is something that he carries with him to the grave, even on his deathbed he believes that he has shared his life with true and honorable men, My heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me (V. v. 38-39). such a naive and trusting nature allows the audience to perceive Brutus as honorable.He is innocent and trusting and truly believes that he is acting on behalf of the people of Rome. A further negative element of Brutus character is his poor judgement. He believes that he will win the support of the people of Rome because he acts in their interests. This is evident when he addresses the Roman citizens in the forum and in his general treatment of the Roman crowds. He incorrectly perceives them as sizeable individuals who will be able to understand his re asoned approach to the murder of Caesar. However, the reality is that the crowd is not able to understand his intellect and is thus left vulnerable to the words of Antony.Here, despite Cassius advice to the contrary, he allows Antony to have the lowest word at the funeral and is thus once again betrayed as a direct result of his naivety. Antony is able to utilize Brutus words and actions against him and generate crime and animosity in the crowd. The same crowd that Brutus judged to be reasonable and intellectual. A further significant component of Brutus character is that of his philosophical nature. He is a believer in Stoicism, a philosophy that dictates living side by side with nature and existing in a carefree and uninterested manner. Such a philosophy manifests itself in an unemotional manner.This can be ob shell outd when Brutus hears of the death of his beloved wife and simply replies, Why parting salutation Portia, We must die, Messala (IV. iii. 218). His stoic nature ca n be seen as a contingent explanation for the way in which he is able to circumscribe his focus to the political and ethical reasons for his murder of Caesar. Brutus stoic nature is further enhanced by the fact that he is able to put the good of the public before his own personal feelings. He does not calculate of Caesar as a man or a friend, but as a political entity, a future dictator, who threatens the good of Rome.This is one possible explanation for why he appears to show no grief for the acts he has committed or for his dead friend he is too intrench in his political objectives. The political focus of Brutus character proves to be a further flaw that allows others to use him to their advantage. His apparent lack of emotion is something that Cassius is able to utilize when he addresses the crowd and convinces them that Brutus is inherently bad. As readers though we have an insight into Brutus actions and understand the causes for his lack of emotion.He is so intent on doing what he believes to be right that, in our eyes, he maintains an honorable image. One of Brutus biggest faults is his opinionated nature. His stubbornness and inability to adapt to the events that occur ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite the fact that he is so politically focused, he fails to play the game of political sympathies himself and thus leaves himself open to manipulation. Unlike Antony and Cassius, he is unable to strategically plan the best means of achieving his intentions, instead acting upon his blind faith that what he is doing is what the people want.However, although this is a flaw, it is something that maintains his honor he is not a swindle or a conspirator at heart. This paper has discussed a proceeds of Brutus character traits, both good and bad. A number of his qualities both serve in his favor and lead to his downfall. Whilst he is trusting, true to his beliefs and resolute, his naivety, poor judgment and single mindedness entail that he leaves him self vulnerable to the dishonest actions of those around him.However, it is such naivety that allows the readers to maintain an image of Brutus as an honorable man, who tries to act in the best interests of his people. The last word on the character of Brutus is expressed passing well by the words of Mark Antony This was the noblest Roman of them all? solely the conspirators, save exclusively he? Did that they did in envy of great Caesar,? He, only in a general honest thought? And common good to all, made one of them (V,V, 68-72) For the characters in the play, and for the reader, Brutus maintains an element of honorability that even his most smuggled acts cannot eradicate.