Julius Caesar: Synopsis Of Brutus :: essays research papers

Marcus Brutus, Caesar’s noble friend, joined the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar because of his love for Rome. The Lives of the Greeks and Romans gives a very good description of Brutus; it was not far off what Shakespeare describes Brutus as. Plutarch described Brutus as A marvelous lowly and gentle person, noble minded, and would never be in any rage, nor carried away with pleasure and covetousness; but had ever an upright mind with him, and would never yield to any wrong or injustice. (p. 139) Brutus was a very respected and honest man. Casca, one of the conspirators, said that he was very respected by the people by saying â€Å"O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, And that which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness.† (I, iii, l 157-160) Casca said this to Cassius. Marcus Brutus was very essential to the conspirators because this would have ensured that the people would listen to them. Brutus was also a true Roman. When Cassius and all of the other conspirators met Brutus at his house and all of them decided to murder Caesar, Cassius said that all of them should swear. Brutus then said, â€Å"No, not an oath: if the face of men, The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—If these be motives weak, break off betimes,† (II, i, l 114-116) and â€Å"Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word And will not palter?† (II, i, l 125-126) Here, Brutus is saying t hat if they are true and honest Romans they do not have to take an oath, their word should be good enough.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Brutus was the only man in the conspiracy with good intentions. Brutus wants to assassinate Caesar for the good of Rome. The other conspirators are all doing it for their own selfish reasons. Brutus’ motives, for joining the conspirators, indicate that he was very public-minded and morally conscientious. When Brutus says â€Å"But for the general. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature, there’s the question:† (II, i, l 12-14) He was stating that it will be for the good of Rome to assassinate Caesar. Also he did not want their assassination to seem too gruesome, this shows he was morally conscientious. When Cassius said that they should also kill Antony, Brutus says â€Å"Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius†.