Brutus in Julius Caesar
BRUTUS -- HERO OR VILLAIN?
In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, a conquering hero is assassinated because he is about to be crowned Emperor in Rome, and members of the Senate do not want to see their power reduced. As Caesar dies, he is dismayed to see that his good friend Brutus is one of the assassins. The play leaves the reader wondering whether Brutus and the other conspirators did the right thing. Was Caesar such a threat to Rome that he had to be killed? If the act truly saved the country, the Brutus is a hero. If the action was self-serving, then Brutus is a villain. It can be argued that since Brutus betrayed a friend, manipulated him into being in the place where the assassination would take place, and then rationalized the act afterwards, Brutus is more villain than hero.
Brutus knows he is betraying a friend, but says in Act II that it must be done because if Caesar does not die, he will be crowned....
Caesar was an ethical leader because he focused on reforming society in order for the world's well-being as a whole to be possible. "Leaders of this type question whether "business as usual" is what they want to keep doing, and likely advocate changes to the accepted system" (Grace 9). He wanted change to happen and he wanted it to happen during his leadership, as he observed how many of his
Julius Caesar was a historical figure who has never failed to fascinate the people. He was a Roman army general and a politician as well. He put an end to the republican government in Rome and it was due to him that the reign of emperors began in Rome. Julius Caesar used the hardships and sufferings of the people of that time as a tool to develop his military as
After Cato saw that his forces were defeated by Caesar, in traditional Roman fashion, he fell on his sword and committed suicide. Despite this great loss for the Senatorial faction, Pompey's sons Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus Pompeius, together with Titus Labienus, Caesar's former propraetorian legate (legatus propraetore) and second in command in the Gallic War, escaped to Spain, where they continued to resist Caesar's dominance of the Roman world. Caesar
Even Brutus, who feared absolute power, became corrupt. The play explores different types of power, both the type that Caesar had bestowed upon him but also military power and power gained from making political connections demonstrated by Antony and Octavius. All types of power can be potentially abused. 2. Compare and contrast-Portia and Calpurnia The main difference between Calpurnia's role and Portia's is that the latter helps plot against Caesar while
Julius Caesar has remained one of the most poignant stories about a power struggle in the English language. It is precisely because personality cults have consistently eroded institutions of public office that this play will always remain relevant. The play illustrates not only that a popular yet unorthodox leader may sweep away democratic and free institutions, but that killing such a leader might result in even more turmoil. This was
Julius Caesar is an honorable man because he is a brave man, a good warrior, and a great leader. People are against him because he has become stronger and more powerful, but he repeatedly turns down the crown, which could make him a dictator. He does not worry about himself or his well being, he thinks about the people. He is also wise, and knows there are people he trusts
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