In merely a few words, a complete portrayal of a character can be formed. As in all Shakespearian play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is consummate in its technique of word picture and fluency. In Marc Antony’s celebrated address to the plebeians after Caesar’s decease, he repeatedly states that Brutus is an honest adult male ( 3.2.89 ) . The quotation mark, which can be taken both on a actual and figurative degree, reveals much about the character of Brutus. Not merely does Antony’s quotation mark point, evidently, to the fact that Brutus is seen as an honest adult male, but in its tone and application, it besides raises inquiries as to whether this award is punctually placed.
Marcus Brutus is seen by all of Rome, including himself, as an solid adult male of the province. He has learned to take pride in his repute and is eager to utilize his distinguished position to every possible advantage. After Caesar’s assasination, Brutus additions the attending of the people by inquiring them to Believe [ him ] for [ his ] award and have respect to [ his ] award that [ they ] may believe ( 3.2.14-16 ) . He knows that he is seen as possessing aristocracy and uses this image to rock the heads of the common mans. Since he is honest, after all, so all of his determinations must besides be both honest and true.
Antony, nevertheless, sees the arrogant side of Brutus that has developed. He notices Brutus? retiring hubris and uses it against him. Through repeatedly saying the thought that Brutus is an honest adult male in his address, and so indicating out the fact that Brutus is claiming to be so honest because he murdered Caesar, Antony rapidly dissuades the people from Brutus line of idea to his ain. Although it is evident that Brutus is perceived as a respectable member of the Roman community, this regard by the people is non strong plenty to keep when Brutus takes his supposed moral duties excessively far and slayings his friend. Brutus repute, although sound, is non sound plenty to cover such blatantly faulty motivations: motivations that function his ain egotistic scruples instead than functioning the concerns and frights of the citizens of Rome.
For a adult male of such aristocracy, it is unusual that Brutus reacts so well to the congratulations that Cassius so easy offers. Brutus ne’er inquiries Cassius grounds for the slaying confederacy. He sees them as true. The lone quandary he has in killing Caesar lies entirely in the thought that Caesar is his friend – non that Caesar does non possess the features of aspiration that Cassius convinces Brutus are feasible grounds for confederacy. Since Brutus image of himself has gained in strength through the flattery of others, he comes to the point that he sees no wrong in his actions because they do come from such an solid member of Rome – himself. Brut us allows his self-assuredness to balloon into amour propre, and, no uncertainty, sets himself to be trapped by Antony’s address to the plebeians.
