Juilus Caesar_ The Betrayal
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Arts Humanities
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Nov 24, 2024
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The Betrayal
“The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes
from your enemies, it comes from those you trust the most.” The
most painful betrayal is one that is committed by someone that is
true and dear to you.
In William Shakespeare’s
Tragedy of Julius
Caesar
, the character of Brutus plays an essential role in the
conflict. Not only does he create conflict between and among
characters, he causes conflict within the reader. Is he a patriot or
a betrayer? Brutus was a patriot who held to the noble belief that
he should protect his country. While he did ultimately side with
the evil conspirators and murder Caesar, he did so because of an
unrelenting feeling or pride and loyalty to his country. His acts do,
however, bring into question whether or not Brutus was more
self-serving than patriotic.
Brutus does show hints of possibly being disloyal. Brutus has
a guilty conscience when he encounters the ghost of Caesar
haunting him. Innocent patriots should not feel this way, some
would argue. On the contrary, Brutus, as a human, would have
felt guilt for what he had done regardless of the motive. Human
nature makes us feel for others. He killed Caesar. For that, he is
haunted by the knowledge that he took a life, regardless of the
altruistic motives. Likewise, when Caesar is killed, he says, “Et tu,
Brutus?” Caesar is asking why he, too, betrays him. Although
Brutus does betray Caesar, but his motives and intentions are
what are important. He does it because of his belief in the
goodness of Rome.
Alternately, Brutus’ actions clearly demonstrate that he is a
patriot. Brutus, in conversation with the conspirators, explains
that he holds no ill will toward Caesar. He is solely concerned for
the good of Rome. “It must be by his death, and for my part I
know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general” (II.
i. 10-12). Additionally, Brutus spares Mark Antony’s life knowing
that he does not want to appear bloodthirsty. He is not taking
casualties. He is not harming friends of Caesar. He is eliminating
the obstacle between Rome and greatness. “Our course will seem
too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the
limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; For Antony is but
a limb of Caesar: Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius”
(II. i. 170-175). Brutus’ intentions are not for himself; they are
for the love of his country.
Throughout the story, there are several conflicting notions of
Brutus’ intentions. However, the evidence shows that he was,
indeed, a patriot. He murdered not for himself but for the
betterment of the country. Was he misled? Yes. Did he perhaps
make some poor choices? Yes. One can question a lot of Brutus’
actions, but one cannot question his loyalty to his country. He
saw someone taking power who would destroy Rome, so he acted
on it to preserve his country. He ultimately paid for that with his
life, and even then, his enemies agreed that he was a great man.
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