Brutus and the Conspirarcy: Was it Worth It?

Brutus: Was it Worth It?

“Brutus had rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of Rome under these hard conditions as this time is like to lay upon us” This quote directly from Brutus himself in Act 1, Scene 2, tells the audience that he is motivated by two things. Brutus is motivated by his patriotism for Rome and his awareness of his public image. Cassius was able to manipulate Brutus by toying with his awareness for his reputation so that he would join the conspiracy whose purpose was to keep the Roman republic.

Brutus was born and raised in Italy, more specifically Rome and because of this he was extremely patriotic for his country and his city. The patriotism that Brutus displays causes him to behave and appear with very prideful actions, such as always placing his country and others before himself. In Act 2, Scene 1, Brutus decides in a soliloquy that he must kill Caesar for the good of Rome. His real words are “It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general”. This shows the audience that he has finally decided to kill Caesar for the good of Rome, but he has no reason to do it otherwise. This shows Brutus’s patriotism because he says that he will only kill Caesar because it is for the good of Rome and that he is uncertain of what Caesar will become if he is not taken care of. However, it is not only this that shows that Brutus is patriotic; in Act 5, Scene 5, after Brutus committed suicide with the help of Strato, Strato says “Free from the bondage you are in, Messala. The conquerors can but make a fire of him; For Brutus overcame himself, and no man else hath honour by his death”. This quote tells the audience that for the sake of Rome over himself, committed suicide. This shows the audience that Brutus was motivated by his patriotism for his country because he did not want them to remember him as someone who was valiant because he did not want them to see him as he was so he ended his life right there and then with the help of Strato. Brutus was very patriotic because he did many actions that were only for his country and not himself. Because of his patriotism, Brutus was also very conscious of his reputation.

Brutus was very conscious of his public image or reputation, which was a side effect of him being very patriotic and being in the senate. The Roman people liked Brutus very much and that made him self-conscious of his reputation. Because of Brutus’s awareness for his reputation, he is very stoic, kind and reserved as not to show the Roman people that he can be easily worried over things. In Act 1, Scene 2, Cassius is manipulating Brutus to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar by mentioning that Rome complains about the tyranny and with that they mention Brutus’s name. Cassius says “I have heard, where many of the best respect in Rome, … speaking of Brutus, and groaning underneath this age’s yoke, have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes”. This quotation means that Brutus is a favorite among the Romans to rid the land of tyranny. This shows that Brutus is very careful when it comes to his reputation because the common people of Rome are very liking of him. However, when Cassius is dropping forged hints (letters) for Brutus to join the conspiracy, Brutus says in Act 2, Scene 1, “ ‘Brutus, thou sleep’st; awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!’ … “O Rome, I make thee promise, if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hand of Brutus.” . This quotation means that Brutus is ready to strike out at tyranny because Rome wants him to. This shows that he is very conscious of his reputation because he has been persuaded by the Romans to strike out at the tyranny, otherwise; his reputation might be spoiled. Because of his concern for his reputation, Brutus ends up joining the conspiracy and killing Caesar.

The key motivators for Brutus in the play Julius Caesar were his patriotism and his concern for his reputation. These motivators caused him to behave as a kind, gentle and prideful actions, always putting his country before himself. Brutus achieved his goal fully, for it was to rid Rome and Italy of tyranny (Caesar). He does this by killing him, so the source for the tyranny is gone. However, I do not believe the goal was worthy for him because he caused all of Italy to go into civil war, killing countless people. If one man can restrain himself, he can prevent the loss of other human lives.

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barrieingham.com