William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is mainly based on the assassination of Julius Caesar. The character who was in charge of the assassination was, ironically, Marcus Brutus, a friend to Julius Caesar. What would cause a person to kill a close friend? After examining Brutus' relationship to Caesar, his involvement in the conspiracy, and his importance to the plot, the truth can be revealed.

Marcus Brutus, a close friend to Caesar, has a strong relationship with Caesar, but a stronger relationship with Rome and its people. Brutus is very patriotic. He did not want Ceasar to rule Rome because of the fear of what might happen if Ceasar takes the thrown. "What means this shouting? I do fear the people do choose Caesar for their king" (act 1, i 1, l 185). Brutus says to himself, "That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face. But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. So Ceasar may." (Act 2, i 1, ll 23-27) As the quotation says, Brutus would not allow Caesar to rise to power and then turn his back onto the

people of Rome. Brutus love of Rome is very strong and deep in his heart. As Brutus is talking to Cassius, Brutus say, "Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this, Brutus had rather be a villager then to repute himself a son of Rome" (act 1, i 2, ll 171-175) After the assassination of Julius Caesar, Brutus talks to Antony about Caesar's death. "Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of Rome" (act 3, i 1, ll 185-186) Again, this shows how Brutus loved Caesar but cared for the life of Rome and its people more. Brutus also states, "If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Ceasar, this is my answer, not that I loved Ceasar less, but that I loved Rome more." (Act 3, i 2, ll 21-24) Brutus would do anything for his country Rome.

Brutus believed honor is important in one's life. Brutus prided himself on being honorable. Brutus tells Cassius, "Set honor in one and death I' the other, and I will look on indifferently, for let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more then I fear death." (Act 1, i 2, ll 86-89) During a conspiracy meeting, all the conspirators decided to take an oath not to tell on what they spoke. Brutus says there is no need for an oath, "No not an oath. If not the face of men, the sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse- if these motives be weak, break off be times." (Act 2, i 1, ll 114-116) Brutus, being an honorable man, felt that honor should keep you from spreading important business, not an oath. Ceasar knew that Brutus was an honorable man, Ceasar and Brutus many times during the play. Ceasar feels that Brutus is noble and does the right thing regardless of personal danger. Brutus stabs Ceasar, he says, "Et tu, Brute?"(Act 3, i 1, l 85).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1173
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)