Alexis Carpenter

April 3, 2014

Sophomore World Literature

In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Writing, Shakespeare describes Brutus’s motives and personality and environment and his beliefs through different techniques. Many of Brutus’s actions are shown through persuasion throughout the play, such as Brutus’s Background and Brutus’s relationship with Mark Antony.

Brutus decides to join Cassius and a group of assassins to defeat Caesar and take him down from the thrown of Rome, but Brutus is doing this for only the good of Rome. In Shakespeare’s play, Brutus is the real hero out of all the other characters. In (Document A), Brutus explains “Not that I love Caesar less but I love Rome more.” This proves that Brutus still sees Caesar as a friend. This also shows that the other assassins want to kill Caesar out of envy. Brutus wants to make sure Caesars death is an honorable one in (Document A) he says “Lets carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds." This is an example of how much respect Brutus has for Caesar. This also makes his task less envious. Brutus was the one who to those ideals; He sacrificed his friend for the cause of liberty.

Brutus was a sincere patriot who served as an urban soldier. One of the assassins suggested killing Mark Antony along with Caesar. Brutus declines this and said in (Line 13, Brutus’s speech) “And for Mark Antony, think not of him.” This proves Brutus and Mark Antony have a strong friendship. This also shows that Brutus cares for Mark Antony more than Caesar. Brutus states before they follow through with their plan in (Line 1, Brutus’s speech) “Our course will seem to too bloody; to cut off the head off then hack the limbs.” This proves that Brutus does not want to shed any unnecessary blood. This is an example of Brutus’s persuasive side in the play. In the end, the assassins agree to not killing Mark Antony along with Caesar.

Brutus, Cassius and his assassins complete their mission in killing off Caesar for the good of Rome.