106
The Bravery Of Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare is known for writing many plays during the Elizabethan Era. One of his more notable works is the tragedy of Julius Caesar. This story follows two main characters, Julius Caesar and Markus Brutus. Julius Caesar is a beloved official whose arrogance eventually led to his downfall. Markus Brutus is a close friend of Caesar, who struggles with conflicting thoughts of what’s best for his home of origin, Rome. Jealous conspirators envious of Caesar’s power convince Brutus to join their assassination plot against Caesar, and this tests if Brutus killed his best friend out of resentment, or because he thought it was what was best for Rome. By looking at the play of Julius Caesar, one can see that Markus Brutus is a character whose values are evident through his honor and loyalty, and every decision he makes is to benefit Rome.
As we see in the play, Brutus sacrifices his relationships with his friends and his own family. Portia, Brutus’s wife was driven so mad by Brutus’s devotion to Rome, that she “swallowed fire” (IV.iii.173), meaning she swallowed hot coals. It was very frustrating for Portia to be left in the dark about what Brutus was doing, and she stabbed herself in the thigh to show her dedication to him. But Brutus dismisses this, putting his duties as a loyal member of Rome before his duties as a loyal husband. In the reading, Brutus states, “For let the gods so speed as I love The name of honor more than I fear death” (I.ii.94-95). This shows Brutus’s commitment to his country. He willingly gives up his life because he realizes it’s the only way to put an end to the war. “Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it” (V.iiiii.32). These are the words of an honorable man voluntarily letting himself die, knowing that it may not win his side of the war, but will preserve the amount of bloodshed about to be lost. The definition of honorable is someone who believes in the truth and doing the right things. Although Brutus showed his idea of doing the right thing by putting distance between his family, it is still honorable to drop everything for your country. His inability to put others before Rome eventually drove Brutus away from his loved ones and his honor became his undoing.
After Brutus and the conspirators kill Caesar, Brutus feels that Antony is no threat to the conspirator’s cause. Sparing Antony’s life may have led to an uprising of the people, but at the end of the play, Antony honors Brutus, deeming him “…the noblest roman of them all ” (Viiiii74). Brutus believes that Antony is nothing without Caesar. In the reading, Brutus states, “And for Marc Antony, think not of him, For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm When Caesar’s head is off ”(II.i.188-190). Brutus says, “For Antony is but a limb of Caesar ” (II.i.172), meaning Antony is like one of Caesar’s arms. Without a head of Caesar, or life, Antony can’t function. Brutus believes Antony will be so distraught by Caesar’s death that he will be powerless, but as we see during the funeral speeches, he is not.
Brutus was well-minded, but at times we are all convinced of something that isn’t true. Cassius and the other conspirators were fearful of Caesar’s rise to the throne, and envy his power. Cassius sends forged letters to Brutus, manipulating him into believing that Caesar will become a tyrant and destroy Rome. It is Brutus’s virtue of honor that Cassius uses to take out Caesar. One letter, forged by Cassius accuses Brutus of not being aware of the threats to Rome. “Brutus, thou sleepest. Awake, and see thyself” (II.i.46). Brutus interprets this letter as a protest by others against Caesar, so, after much thought, Brutus decides that Caesar is like “…a serpent’s egg” (II.i.32), which in time will become dangerous. If Brutus had maybe talked to his loved ones about the letters, they may have been able to help Brutus to see they were forged, and he would have identified Cassius as a manipulator. In his speech to the Romans after Caesar was killed, Brutus explains that he loved Caesar, but “ . . . I loved Rome more” (III.ii.22). This shows his real dedication and honor towards Rome.
The word honor in Julius Caesar is synonymous with bravery and selflessness. Brutus is considered honorable by nearly every character in the play. He is earnestly committed to public service and always works towards the overall good of his country.
