essay on brutus from julius caesar

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Brutus: The Heroic Character in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

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Brutus's Honor and Nobility

Brutus's Selflessness

Brutus's unwavering bravery.

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Julius Caesar

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Julius Caesar: Brutus Tragic Hero

This essay will examine Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” It will discuss his moral integrity, his tragic flaws, and the series of decisions leading to his downfall, highlighting the complex nature of his character and his role in the play’s tragic events. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Hero.

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Brutus is known to be unfortunate legend in perspective of steadfastness he shows up toward his friend and country. Notwithstanding the way that there was a to a great degree strong fraternity among Brutus and Caesar, yet there was a relationship that was more grounded than relationship that Brutus had with Caesar which happen to be the relationship with all inclusive community of the country Rome. Brutus genuinely needn’t bother accompanied by Caesar to create and be so unbelievable and strong, gave that he creates to be to a great degree strong and stunning, he would transform into Rome’s ruler and Brutus didn’t require that to happen.

Brutus searches around to get the powerful assistance for the people in Rome and doesn’t want or need them to lose their ability. So because Caesar’s enemies lear about Brutus’s meaning of prestige for those people. They are able to peruse him into getting along with their idea to ruin Caesar. Brutus chooses to go along with the murder Caesar in view of the fact that he started to have a really deep thought that the murder of Caesar would be the most possible thing that would best for the people in that country, while on the other hand different men desired to abuse Caesar because of the spite that was towards him.

Brutus is and very honorable and worthy person. That means that he believes in telling the truth and being fair in any situation. This also mean he’s always doing the right thing. Brutus is an honorable and worthy person because he always was trying to search for the best for someone or something. Also in the event that Brutus can’t find the best or someone and/or something he will continue to search for the closest thing possible thing to the best.The appeal that this connects to is ethos. This connects to ethos because ethos is mainly supporting your own beliefs and believing in what you believe in whether its with your community or culture.

Brutus demonstrates the traits that shows that he is a tragic hero. The traits that shows that someone is a tragic hero is them being very loyal and dedicated to whoever he/she is helping or whatever he/she is helping. Brutus is loyal and dedicated because he decided to base his decision to join conspiracy off of what was best for Rome and the citizens of Rome. This is loyal because he put Rome at his best interest of heart and chose the conspiracy for the future of Rome in consideration.

It must be by his death. And for my part

I know no personal cause to spurn at him,

But for the general. He would be crowned:

How that might change his nature, there’s the question. ( 2.1.10-14)

In the play Julius Caesar Brutus is an amartia ,meaning that his downfall is partially his own fault and his downfall can come out to be overriding immoral fate. Brutus is also nemesis, and nemesis means that Brutus has a punishment that he can’t avoid. In this play Brutus made some mistakes that were really bad mistakes. One of the mistake he made that contributed to his downfall was him joining the conspirators. Brutus joining the conspirators shows that he will rely on anyone and/or anything without looking into it further or trying to at least investigate it more. (Amartia)

A tragic hero is always loyal and searches for the best. Also a tragic hero has different flaws that can lead themselves to their downfall. Brutus is someone who is very well known and to those people he knows he is loyal to them and they respect him for that.             

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The citizens demand answers regarding Caesar’s death. Brutus makes a speech explaining that although he valued Caesar as a friend, it was appropriate to kill him for his ambition, and that he did so with the good of Rome in mind. He challenges the crowd, saying that anyone who loves his freedom must stand with Brutus. Mark Antony enters with Caesar’s body. The crowd clamors for Brutus, and Brutus tells them to listen to Mark Antony. The plebeians are reluctant to listen to Mark Antony at all, claiming that Caesar was a tyrant.

Antony addresses them, appearing at first to praise the conspirators. His speech gradually inspires doubt about the conspirators through his praise of Caesar, particularly after he shows the crowd Caesar’s wounded body and reads Caesar’s will, which bequeaths money to each citizen and makes some of Caesar’s private lands into public parks. The crowd begins to cry for revenge on the conspirators, and Mark Antony pretends to dissuade them, but they run off to attack the conspirators anyway. A messenger from Octavius arrives and says that Octavius and Lepidus are waiting for Antony at Caesar’s house. Antony goes to meet them.

Interview: Brutus

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 3.2 Interview: Brutus

Interview: Antony

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 3.2 Interview: Antony

Interview: Plebian

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 3.2 Interview: Plebeians

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The Second Triumvirate: The ruthless alliance that finally brought the Roman Republic to its end

The Second Triumvirate shattered the fragile stability of the Roman Republic. It was  a power-sharing arrangement between three of Rome's most influential figures - Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus - and formed in the aftermath of Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC.

Their collective rule led to internal conflicts and external wars which foreshadowed its eventual collapse. Ultimately, the power struggles among these leaders ultimately paved the way for the rise of the Roman Empire.

But what led to the formation of the Second Triumvirate?

And how did the internal dynamics and conflicts between the triumvirs shape its course?

The chaos in Rome after Caesar's assassination

The First Triumvirate , an informal political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, had already set a precedent for power-sharing arrangements in Rome.

However, this alliance was plagued by political tension and ultimately disintegrated, leading to a civil war between Caesar and Pompey.

Caesar emerged victorious, but his rule was cut short by his assassination in 44 BC, an event that plunged Rome into chaos.

Julius Caesar's death created a power vacuum in Rome. His adopted heir, Octavian, was still a young man and not yet ready to take control.

Mark Antony, Caesar's loyal ally and a powerful military leader, sought to consolidate power but faced opposition from Caesar's assassins and other factions in the Senate.

Initially, Octavian and Mark Antony had fought each other at the Battle of Mutina in 43 BC, but they soon decided that working together served both of their purposes better.

The third figure, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, though less influential than Antony or Octavian, commanded considerable military strength.

In this volatile environment, these three men saw an opportunity to stabilize Rome and secure their own positions by forming a political alliance.

How the Second Triumvirate was formed

The formation of the Second Triumvirate was a calculated response to the power vacuum that followed the assassination of Julius Caesar.

The three key figures - Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus - each brought their own strengths and ambitions to the alliance, and each had their own reasons for joining forces.

Octavian, the adopted heir of Julius Caesar, was still a young man at the time of Caesar's death.

Despite his youth and relative inexperience, he was determined to claim his inheritance and secure his position in Rome.

He had the support of many of Caesar's veterans and followers, as well as the legal and moral authority that came with being Caesar's chosen heir.

Mark Antony, on the other hand, was a seasoned military leader and a close ally of Caesar.

He had initially tried to take control of Rome following Caesar's death, but faced opposition from the Senate and from Caesar's assassins.

By aligning himself with Octavian and Lepidus, Antony hoped to consolidate his power and eliminate his rivals.

Lepidus, the third member of the triumvirate, was perhaps the least influential of the three.

However, he commanded a significant military force and was a key ally of Caesar.

His inclusion in the triumvirate helped to balance the power dynamics between Octavian and Antony and added military strength to their alliance.

Legal status and powers of the triumvirate

Unlike the First Triumvirate, which was an informal and private agreement, the Second Triumvirate was officially sanctioned by law.

The Lex Titia, passed in November 43 BC, gave the triumvirate a legal status that was unprecedented in the Roman Republic.

The Lex Titia granted the triumvirs - Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus - extraordinary powers for a period of five years.

They were given the authority to control the Roman provinces, which effectively put the entire Roman military under their command.

This allowed them to wage war, negotiate with foreign powers, and appoint officials as they saw fit.

In addition to their provincial authority, the triumvirs were also given the power to pass laws without the approval of the Senate.

This was a significant departure from the traditional checks and balances of the Roman Republic, where the Senate played a crucial role in legislation.

The triumvirs could enact laws, levy taxes, and make decisions on a range of issues without any oversight or opposition.

The brutal killing of opponents

One of the first and most notorious actions of the triumvirate was the proscriptions : the power to proscribe, or legally kill, anyone they deemed to be an enemy of the state.

This was a process by which the triumvirs identified and declared certain individuals, allowing their property to be confiscated and their lives to be legally taken.

The proscriptions were ostensibly a measure to eliminate political opposition and raise funds for the triumvirate's military campaigns, but they also served to instill fear and consolidate the triumvirs' power.

Many prominent Romans, including senators and equestrians, fell victim to the proscriptions.

For example, the famous orator and politician, Cicero , was executed as part of the proscriptions in 43 BC.

The triumvirs also implemented a number of reforms aimed at stabilizing the Roman economy, which had been severely disrupted by years of civil war.

These included measures to regulate the currency, control inflation, and manage the supply of grain.

Hunting Caesar's assassins and the Battle of Philippi

The Battle of Philippi, fought in 42 BC, was one of the most significant military engagements of the Second Triumvirate.

It marked the end of the civil war that followed the assassination of Julius Caesar and solidified the power of the triumvirs.

It was fought against the forces of Brutus and Cassius, the leading assassins of Caesar.

Following Caesar's death, Brutus and Cassius had fled to the eastern provinces, where they had amassed a large army.

The triumvirs, seeking to eliminate this threat and avenge Caesar's death, launched a campaign against them.

The Battle of Philippi was actually a series of two engagements. In the first, Antony decisively defeated Cassius, who, believing that Brutus had also been defeated, committed suicide.

However, Brutus had actually been victorious against Octavian's forces. In the second engagement, about three weeks later, Brutus was defeated by the combined forces of Antony and Octavian.

Brutus, like Cassius, chose to take his own life rather than be captured.

The Battle of Philippi was a decisive victory for the Second Triumvirate. It eliminated a major source of opposition and allowed the triumvirs to consolidate their control over the Roman territories.

The battle also marked the end of the Roman Republic's resistance to the triumvirate's rule.

With Brutus and Cassius defeated, there were few left who could challenge the triumvirs' authority.

Growing tensions within the triumvirate

In 40 BC, Octavian and Mark Antony signed the Treaty of Brundisium, which divided the Roman provinces among the three men.

Antony took control of the eastern provinces, Octavian was given the western provinces (including Italy), and Lepidus was assigned control of Hispania (Spain) and the province of Africa.

This division of territories allowed each of the triumvirs to consolidate their power base and provided a degree of balance within the triumvirate.

Despite their united front, the Second Triumvirate was far from a harmonious alliance.

The triumvirs each had their own ambitions and agendas, leading to a series of internal conflicts and rivalries that would ultimately contribute to the dissolution of the triumvirate.

The most significant rivalry was between Octavian and Antony. While they initially worked together to defeat their common enemies and consolidate their power, their relationship soon became strained.

Antony's relationship with Cleopatra , the queen of Egypt, and his apparent intentions to establish a separate power base in the east, were viewed with suspicion by Octavian.

This led to a propaganda war between the two, with each trying to undermine the other's reputation and authority.

Lepidus, the third member of the triumvirate, was often caught in the middle of these conflicts.

Despite his initial position of power, Lepidus was gradually marginalized by Octavian and Antony.

These internal conflicts were not just about personal ambitions, but also reflected deeper ideological and political divisions.

Octavian represented the traditional Roman values and the desire for stability and order.

Antony, on the other hand, was seen as more radical and unpredictable, with his alliances with foreign powers and his unconventional lifestyle.

How the Second Triumvirate fell apart

The Second Triumvirate, despite its initial success and the extraordinary powers granted to it, was not destined to last.

The internal conflicts and rivalries that had been simmering beneath the surface eventually led to its dissolution.

The first sign of the triumvirate's impending end came with the marginalization of Lepidus.

After the defeat of Sextus Pompeius to Agrippa, Octavian's admiral, in 36 BC, Lepidus had tried and failed to take control of Sicily from Octavian.

His attempts to expand his territory and influence were ultimately thwarted when his troops refused to fight on.

He was eventually forced out of the triumvirate by Octavian and into retirement.

The final blow to the triumvirate came with the escalating conflict between Octavian and Antony.

The situation reached a crisis point in 32 BC when Octavian managed to get hold of Antony's will, which revealed his intentions to leave Roman territories to his children with Cleopatra.

This plan, which is known as the Donations of Alexandria, had been agreed upon in 34 BC between Mark Antony and Cleopatra, but shocked the Roman people when it was discovered.

As a result, Octavian used this to launch a propaganda campaign against Antony, accusing him of betraying Rome for the sake of Egypt.

The conflict between Octavian and Antony culminated in the Battle of Actium on the 2nd of September, 31 BC.

Octavian's forces, led by his general Agrippa, defeated Antony and Cleopatra's fleet in a decisive victory for Octavian.

Antony and Cleopatra fled to Egypt, where they both committed suicide the following year.

With Antony's death, the Second Triumvirate was officially at an end. Octavian was left as the sole ruler of Rome.

In 27 BC, he was granted the title of ' Augustus ' by the Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire and the end of the Roman Republic. 

The birth of the Roman Empire

The aftermath of the Second Triumvirate saw significant changes in the political, social, and cultural landscape of Rome.

Augustus implemented a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing the empire, strengthening the military, and revitalizing Roman culture.

He established the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability that lasted for over two centuries.

The Roman Empire expanded under his rule, reaching its greatest extent to date.

The legacy of the Second Triumvirate is complex. On one hand, it marked the end of the Roman Republic, a political system that had lasted for centuries.

The extraordinary powers granted to the triumvirs, and their use of these powers to eliminate opposition and consolidate their control, represented a significant departure from the traditional values of the Republic.

On the other hand, the Second Triumvirate also paved the way for the Roman Empire, one of the most influential and enduring empires in history.

The actions and decisions of the triumvirs, particularly Octavian, shaped the future of Rome and had far-reaching effects on the broader Mediterranean world.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Tragedy of Julius Caesar — A Comparison of Brutus’ and Antony’s Speeches: Why Was Antony’s Speech More Effective

A Comparison of Brutus's and Antony's Speeches: Why Antony's Speech Was More Effective

• Categories: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar William Shakespeare

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Words: 1540 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1540 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

The essay analyzes the role of speech in Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar" and how it plays a crucial part in shaping the plot. It highlights the persuasive power of speeches delivered by characters like Brutus and Antony, demonstrating how they influence the beliefs and actions of the Roman populace.

The essay delves into Brutus's speech, where he justifies Caesar's assassination by portraying him as power-hungry and a threat to Rome's freedom. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Brutus skillfully manipulates the crowd's perspective and receives their applause.

However, the essay asserts that Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral is more effective than Brutus's due to its multifaceted emotional approach. Antony appeals to the emotions of the crowd by presenting evidence of Caesar's generosity and refuting Brutus's claims of ambition. He cleverly deceives the audience with false details, such as recalling the cloak Caesar wore during his murder, and assigns specific wounds to the conspirators to generate anger and empathy.

Table of contents

Introduction, brutus and antony's speech analysis, works cited, brutus’ speech, antony's speech.

• Delaney, Bill. "Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR." Explicator 60.3 (2002): 122. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
• Wills, Gary. "Rome and Rhetoric: Shakespeare's Julius Caesar." New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, c2011. Book.
• Matthews, Brander. "The Plays from Plutarch." Shakespeare as a Playwright. Brander Matthews. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1913. 254-263. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Mark W. Scott. Vol. 7. Detroit: Gale Research, 1988. Literature Resource Center. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
• Harley Granville-Barker, “ ‘Julius Caesar’,” in his “Prefaces to Shakespeare, first series, Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1927, pp. 51-132
• Stopford A. Brooke, “ ‘Julius Caeser’,” in his “Ten More Plays of Shakespeare, Constable and Company Ltd., 1913, pp, 58-90
• Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar.
• Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

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