Brutus was a very important character in the play Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare. He helped plan a plot against one of the most powerful people in Rome and killed the king to be. Brutus was well renowned for his deep thinking, his honor, and most importantly, his belief in stoicism. Brutuss stoic qualities played a major role in his character. He trusted his wife Portia very much. In fact, he trusted her so much that he was even going to tell her about the plot against Caesar.
You are my true and honorable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart ( II, i, 289-290) She cared very much for him. She was willing to slice her thigh open just to prove her loyalty and trustworthiness to her noble husband. He also cared very deeply about his wife and he loved her very dearly. O ye gods, render me worthy of this noble wife! ( II, i, 303-304) Because of his profound stoicism, Brutus did not seem to show his graditude much when Portia killed her self. He simply drank wine to get ride of the pain and told Cassius to never speak of his wife again.
Lucius a bowl of wine! I did not think you could have been so angry, O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Of your philosophy you make no use If you give place to accidental evils. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. Ha! Portia! She is dead. How scaped I killing when I crossed you so? Oh, insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness? Impatient of my absence, And grief that young Octavius with MarkAntony Have made themselves so strong for with her death That tidings came with this she fell distract, And, her attendants absent, swallowed fire.
And died so? Even so. O ye immortal gods! Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. ( IV, iii, 141-158) The people of Rome respected Brutus greatly. The conspirators thought very highly of him and wanted him to be art of their scheme against Julius Caesar. If they could get Brutus to join in on the plan the people might think it was all right that they killed the great Caesar. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party ( I, iii, 140-141) The people respected Brutus.
They thought he was a very wise and noble man. They believed anything he would tell them. Oh, he sits high in all the peoples hearts, And that which would appear offense in us His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. ( I, iii, 157-160) Brutus was a very deep thinker who always put others first. He killed Caesar for the good of Rome. He believed Caesar was like a serpents egg and that an egg is not so dangerous when it is still an egg but when it hatches it can grow up to be a fierce dragon.
What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king. Aye, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be ought toward the general good, Set honor in one eye and death i the other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honor more than I fear death I know that virtue to be true in you, Brutus,…. I, ii, 79-90)
Brutus had thought very deeply about joining the conspiracy. He had stayed up all night brooding about it. He feared that Caesar was gaining too much power and that soon Caesar would become king. If Caesar became king Brutuss dreams of Romes Democracy would be shattered. In conclusion Brutus was a very well respected man in Rome. He helped restore Rome to its original Democratic system. He ended up killing himself at the end of the play because of all the pressure. He had said at the end when he killed himself that …. Caesar, now be still.
