Brutus: the flawed hero? by Dr Jennifer Minter
To a large extent, Shakespeare depicts Brutus as a “noble” Roman who purports to act in the best interests of the state. He professes to be motivated by his patriotic love of “Rome” and values allegiance to his country more than friendship. However, despite his best intentions, Brutus unleashes civil strife and the co-conspirators come to a bloody end at the hands of their rival, Mark Antony.
The play is set during a time of intense political rivalry, amid the fear of an entrenched dictatorship. It focuses on Julius Caesar’s rule up until his death in 44 BC at the hands of a group of conspirators who purportedly fear Caesar’s ambitious motives.
As a ringleader, Brutus fears for the future of Rome owing to the what he believes are dangerous consequences of unbridled ambition. After Caesar’s death, Brutus states, “ambition’s debt is paid”. During Caesar’s funeral, Brutus speaks at the Forum, the public political space where he enunciates his views, confidently and without sarcasm, unlike Mark Antony. He reassures the public that his action had a purpose and that he has “no personal cause to spurn”. He took part in the assassination because he “loved Rome more” than his leader.
Brutus is convinced that his reasons “are so full of good regard”, and that those who love and are patriotic to Rome will understand the decision and share his love of freedom. Antony pays tribute to his patriotic fervour upon Brutus’s death when he states “This was the noblest Roman of them all”. And furthermore, “let’s all cry, Peace, freedom and liberty”.
- Brutus assures the populace and senators that there is no harm intended, “Nor to no Roman else”.
- Upon Caesar’s death, Cinna pronounces, “Liberty. Freedom. Tyranny is dead. “Ambition’s debt is paid.” (3/1/80)
- As Brutus points out in his speech, it is “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”. He feared Caesar’s power: “As he was ambitious, I slew him.
- “I know that virtue to be in you Brutus “ ( Cassius: Act 1 /2/ 95)
- Brutus also states, “He would be crown’d; How that might change his nature, there’s the question.”It is the bright day that brings forth the adder.” (2/15)
Brutus and the conspirators are skeptical of Caesar
Shakespeare presents Brutus as someone who appears to be motivated by patriotism and love of “Rome”. The conspirators, especially Brutus, appear to be wary of Caesar’s motives. Brutus discounts Casca’s recount of Caesar’s reluctance to accept the crown.
- Casca states: “He put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by mine honest neighbours shouted.” (Antony offered him the crown.
- Casca admits that he seemed “very loath to lay his fingers off it.” Caesar acts the reluctant king, but only to gauge the reaction of the “rabblement” that “hooted and clapped their chopt hands and threw up their sweaty nightcaps”. He believes that this is just a ruse to conceal his true motives and that he is perhaps more sinister because of an underlying deceptive stance.
- Casca does not trust Caesar’s motives. “If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.” (There was “more foolery yet”. )
- Casca notes that “the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Caesar as a king.”
Likewise, Brutus fears Caesar’s power.
- Upon hearing the noise of the common people in the square, he notes, “I do fear, the people Choose Caesar for their king!”.
- Brutus worries that if Caesar is crowned as king, “how that might change his nature”. He fears that the crown may well “put a sting in him”. He believes that Caesar is capable of the ‘abuse of greatness” (Brutus (*2/1/15)
The power of Julius Caesar
The depiction of Caesar is ambivalent; there are innuendos throughout the play that he was becoming corrupted by power and that Rome was under threat. However, Shakespeare also depicts Caesar as a courageous leader, who boldly defies Calpurnia’s premonition of evil to greet the crowd. Caesar only has a small part, but his presence and death dominate the action.
During the Roman period of Julius Caesar’s rule and up until his death in 44 BCE, there seems to be a climate of fear surrounding the absolute power of the king/dictator. Brutus refers to such power and the possible dangerous consequences of unbridled/unchecked ambition.
In this regard, the Roman political context is used as an analogy of Elizabethan England’s political structure. Shakespeare alludes to the threat of an authoritarian royal rulership with Queen Elizabeth as the sole ruler.
Armed with an inflated sense of his own importance, Caesar’s attitude to power and to his subjects is problematic. There are suggestions that he abuses his power and uses fear to subjugate his followers, the other senators. Flavius (70) states that Caesar keeps them “in servile fearfulness”. Caesar announces, resolutely, that he is determined to defy the oracles..
Caesar later admits that he prefers to “tell thee” what is to be fear’d”; in other words, he wants to be the one holding and wielding ultimate power and control. For “I am Caesar’. Caesar separates himself from the “coward” who “dies many times before their deaths. This is a self-reference to his own vision of himself as a “valiant” leader who does not fear death.
Referring to himself in the third person, Caesar, “Caesar shall forth: the things that threatene’d me Never look’d but on my back.. “ The third person has the effect of emboldening the ruler; of making the ruler seem beyond the “ordinary person; the ruler on a pedestal.” Shakespeare repeats, “Caesar shall go forth” to emphasise Caesar’s determination and appearance of courage.
Inner conflict: Shakespeare characterizes Brutus as someone who agonises over the decision because of his friendship for Caesar. (See Friendship)
A mark of Brutus’s greatness is that others like Cassius desperately rely on Brutus’s support in order to give credibility to the group of conspirators
- “I know that virtue to be in you Brutus “ (Act 1 /2/ 95) Cinna also bids Cassius, “if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party”. (140)
- Casca also notes, “O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts; And that which would appear offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness”.
However, Brutus is personally troubled. He tells Cassius: “Vexed I am Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself …” He vows friendship to Cassius. “But let not therefore my good friends be grieved – Among which number, Cassius, be you one.”
Antony pays the ultimate tribute upon Brutus’s death: “I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies.”.. “This was the noblest Roman of them all Al the conspirators, save only he, Did that they did in envy of great Caesar. .. This was a man”.
Like Caesar, Brutus also has arrogant traits which motivate him to join the conspirators.
- Just as Caesar overlooks the warnings regarding the Ides of March, Brutus is dismissive towards Cicero – the most famous orator at that time.
Whilst Brutus appears to align himself with the conspirators and their motives, he is also portrayed as an honourable Roman, who genuinely and sincerely believes that Rome is best served by stopping dictatorial ambitions. (He later tells Cassius, “there is no terror, C , in your threats; For I am arm’d so strong in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind.” (65/4/3) (“Think not, “thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; He bears too great a mind.” (205)
Politics, Principles and realism
Brutus considers himself a Stoic (one who lives by reason alone) but he is plagued by a guilty conscience. The ghost of Caesar returns to haunt him. He sees it as a “weakness of mine eyes”… apparition.. that makes my blood cold and my hair to stare ? (4/3).. He is plagued by grief and sorrows that undermine his strength and stoic disposition and that give him the determination to believe that he was keeping order.
Cassius refers to the stoic’s ideals: “Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils.” In other words, “you are not being very philosophical if you give in to difficulties that only happen by chance.
- Philosophy: “Even by the rule of that philosophy” for which I did blame Cato for the death; Which he did give himself” (Stoic philosophy stated that pain and suffering were natural to life; Stoicism denounces suicide.” ) He states that he believes that suicide is “cowardly and vile”
- Stoicism: natural events were not chance but the expressions of the power of a wise and good god. Pain and suffering were not evil but natural and were therefore to be endured. Happiness was not necessary; it was duty, fortitude and self control that were important. “Accident evils” refers to bad luck over which people have no control.
Political shortcomings
Brutus appears to succumb to Cassius’s (and the conspirators’) political self-serving agenda; they appear to have ulterior motives; they have scores to settle with Caesar
Shakespeare suggests that despite his idealistic goals, Brutus is politically shortsighted. Inadvertently, he does not anticipate danger and nor does he anticipate the course of action subsequent to Caesar’s death.
Brutus expects that the plebeians will support his action and do all they can to protect their “freedom”. He presumes that they will resist the anger of becoming an “underling.”
Brutus is certain that the populace (plebeians) will understand the good cause and his kindness and “that (I) did love Caesar when I struck him”
Brutus tells the conspirators: “Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully..” “This shall make Our purpose necessary and not envious: Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be call’d purges, not murderers. And for Mark Antony, think not of him; For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm When Caesar’s head is off.”
Brutus is convinced, that “Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar you should be satisfied (3/1/225)
The speeches; Antony
Convinced of his sound reasons, Brutus hopes that the enemies or conspirators will all reconcile their differences and work towards the common good. During Caesar’s funeral, Brutus respectfully decides to talk in prose for the commoners to truly understand his opinions, and he even allowed Antony to speak at the funeral, a sign of his nobility of character. He does not realize that Antony better grasps this common good/love
- Brutus believes that if he explains to the populace… allows the rites for Caesar, makes sure that Antony explains that he has “permission” to speak … and gives “reasons”, then the conspiracy will be justified
- “It shall advantage more than do us wrong” (3/1/240
- It could be argued that Brutus has a streak of arrogance, similar to Caesar. He states: “I am arm’d so strong in honesty”. .. (4/3)
Brutus overlooks the rivalry that frequently surfaces among political enemies. Hence, he fails to anticipate the problems that will ensue and that lead to his disillusionment and division with Cassius.
To a large extent, the roman public appear to be easily persuaded by the rival factions, which is evident in their response to the funeral speeches. Their response to Brutus’s and then Antony’s speech shows their oscillation.
Brutus fails to recognise the ulterior motives of Cassius
- Brutus appears politically naïve with regards to the extent to which other’s motives were more sinister / less honourable than his own
- Cassius seeks to flatter Brutus and gain his support through reference to his strongest point – his honour and his nobility. “honour is the subject of my story.”
- Cassius also seems to be jealous of Brutus’s friendship with Caesar. “Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus; If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humour me.”
- Cassius also tells Brutus, “Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I know,When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better. Than ever though lovedst Cassius.”
- Cassius is disappointed that he cannot earn Brutus’s respect: “Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus” (4/3/110)
Historically, Cassius was a supporter of Pompey (the civil strife which predates the play), and is allowed to re-enter the city and infiltrate the Senate, indicating perhaps similar shortcomings in Caesar’s political decisions akin to Brutus’s. Whilst this could be interpreted as a failure of the political system to protect itself, it could also be seen as an indication of political leaders working with, rather than, against each other. It could be seen as a sign of good-will towards former enemies rather than a weakness.
Cassius vows to become a reflection of Brutus’s concealed traits. He knows that he has what Brutus needs. “And since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of.”
Cassius builds upon this intimacy to plant the seeds of suspicion within Brutus and to suggest that he could be just as great as Caesar. Cassius uses flattery to cement special bonds with Brutus and to win over his confidence.
Early in his defence, Cassius sets up a comparison between himself and Caesar based on notions of physical bravery. To the Ancient Romans, physical prowress is testament to political strength.) Cassius expresses a series of grievances against Caesar, many of which are associated with the concept of physical courage.
He portrays Caesar in a belittling/demeaning light; this is evident when he claims that the ruler pleaded for help, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink”.
Contrastingly, Cassius juxtaposes his strength with Caesar’s weakness. “I (compared with Aeneas our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder.. “
- Cassius is resentful and harbours a sense of injustice; he suffers numerous grievances against Caesar which not only rankle within him but become the source of scepticism in others.
- Using the third person reference, he describes “Cassius” as “a wretched creature” who must “bend his body” “if Caesar carelessly but nod on him.”
- He resents having to defer to Caesar and believes that it is beneath him to have to pay homage to a man who is physically his inferior.
- The story of Caesar’s feeble and weak mind also reflects his view that psychologically he lacks the strength of a ruler.
Cassius seems to goad Brutus by suggesting that it is possible for men to become “masters of their fates”. This insinuates murder. He believes that the fault lies in their status as “underlings” and that they should have the “courage” to take their fate into their own hands and to share his dissatisfaction
In this regard, Cassius plays upon the long-standing family and personal, traditional, generational bonds with Brutus. Sentimentally, he suggests, “O, you and I have heard our fathers say, “There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d.. . By invoking the “fathers” he implies that there is a traditional imperative in displacing Caesar.
Cassius seems more politically astute with regards to the factional rivalries: Cassius fears Mark Antony: “yet have I a mind That fears him much.”
Cassius plays a big role in changing Brutus’s opinions and his actions leading to his downfall
Poor decisions and internal divisions eventuate and disagreement ensues over money to pay the legions (the Roman soldiers.)
- Cassius is angry that Brutus does not show sympathy towards his “friend’s infirmities, but B makes mine greater than they are”
- Cassius tells Brutus, “Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.” .. “That you have wrong’d me doth appear in this: You have condemn’d and noted Lucius Pella For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Wherein my letters, praying on his side, Because I knew the man, were slighted off.”.. “In such a time as this it is not meet That every nice offence should bear his comment.”
- Brutus refuses to compromise his principles and support “robbers”: “Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours, For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.”
- Brutus can be arrogant which leads to shortsightedness: “There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; For I am arm’d so strong in honesty That they pass by me as their idle wind Which I respect not.”
Caesar and his followers: fear of Cassius
Caesar uses the symbol of weight, as in “fat” to describe the followers who would prefer to follow him. The “fat” refers to men who secure, comfortable, loyal, whereas “skinny” symbolizes those who are uneasy, anxious, suspicious, “lean and hungry” and who think too much
Friendship and Flattery
Decius enjoys the complete confidence of Caesar and this leads to the ruler’s fateful decision. Caesar professing his love for Decius and confidentially confesses his true reason as to why he will not confront the senate house. “Because I love you”. He reveals Cal’s dream which urges him to stay away on the Ides of March.
Defying his trust, Decius reassures Caesar and offers a different interpretation of the dream that flatters Caesar and that encourages him to change his mind. Rather than death and disaster, Decius convinces Caesar that the vision of blood is more a vision of Rome’s greatness. Decius also convinces Caesar that he shall be awarded the crown and would be publicly mocked if he stays away because of his wife’s warnings.
As a result, Caesar defies the Ides of March oracle and Calpurnia’s warnings, and disarmed by his friend’s assurances, makes his last public appearance.
Likewise, Brutus is flattered by Cassius, which precipitates his friend’s decision. Cassius fears Antony because of his “ingrafted love he bears to Caesar”. (180/2)
Antony’s servant flatters Brutus to ensure his safe passage. He protests: “Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus”. (And yet Cassius fears M A: “yet have I a mind That fears him much.”
Cassius also seems to be jealous of Brutus’s friendship with Caesar. “Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus; If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humour me.”
- Cassius also tells Brutus, “Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I know,When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better. Than ever though lovedst Cassius.”
- Cassius is disappointed that he cannot earn Brutus’s respect: “Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus” (4/3/110)
Friendship and loyalty
From one perspective, Shakespeare suggests that morality is not completely compromised in a political world that prizes friendship and loyalty so highly. To a large extent, the rival factions do appear to loyally support each other.
- Antony stands by, and defends, Caesar. He also honours Brutus in a principled manner after his rival’s death.
- Shakespeare is intent on showing that despite their differences, Brutus and Cassius reaffirm their friendship and display their loyalty to each other. In doing so, they also reaffirm the motives behind the assassination
- Cassius is intent on ensuring that they do not end their battles in a divided state. “O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night: Never come such division ‘tween our souls! Brutus and Cassius are both intent on ensuring that “this parting was well made”
- Prior to his death, Brutus acknowledges the support he has enjoyed from his supporters.
- Brutus honours the remarkable service of his servant. He tells Strato. “Countrymen My heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me. As a loyal countrymen, Strato holds the sword upon which Brutus dies.”
Despite Brutus’s determination to end Caesar’s reign, his final words and the visitation by the ghost suggest that he does not forgive himself for murdering his friend …
- Brutus appears too intransigent and incapable of compromise. He often rationalizes his choices with strange logic.
- Brutus notes; ‘there is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads on to fortune”
Brutus and bloodshed
Although he has idealistic and noble goals, Brutus does sink his knife into Caesar’s blood and is the final conspirator to end Julius Caesar’s life. Caeser is astonished that the noble Brutus has participated in something so bloody as the murder and gasps, “et tu brutus”. “Then fall Caesar”. Shakespeare depicts the scene .. graphically, bloody, the mutilated body of Caesar is present in the two significant climaxes…
Sh does not offer complete confirmation that Caesar was acting completely against the Roman ideals
Also he gave considerable credibility to the plot when he added his support. Despite his best intentions, he did partake in blood and end the life of a leader who seemed to have the support of the populace. He urges the conspirators to bathe in Caesar’s blood, “and let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Up to the elbows”. (as the leader of the group … “Brutus shall lead). Although he does not want to become the “butcher” (“Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers”, he becomes almost one of many “butchers” (a “purger” not a “murderer”.)
There is considerable disquiet in the weather; the disruption of natural forces tends to signify a political or .. rupture. The tumultuous stormy weather is used as a symbolic background for the impending political upheaval. As Caesar states, “Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
- Likewise, Calpurnia also comments on the weather that appears out of joint: “there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
- Cassius walks in the stormy weather and “bared my bosom to the thunder-stone” (50).
- Despite this ominous warning from Calpurnia, supported by the weather, Caesar appears boldly determined to defy her predictions/anxiety and appear in public at the senate.
Antony (speech)
Despite his apparently noble principles, Shakespeare suggests that Brutus does not understand sufficiently the fickleness (capricious) nature of popular/public sentiment.)
Shakespeare includes two powerful and dramatic speeches by both the powerful patricians, Antony and Brutus, to foreground Brutus’ lack of political expediency. At first Brutus convinces the populace, but their trust is undermined by Antony, who abuses Brutus’s trust.
Furthermore, whilst both Antony and Brutus appear to represent the interest of Rome, Antony better anticipates the warm reception for Caesar. Contrastingly, Brutus underestimates the power of the common people and their affinity for Caesar. One main difference in their speeches is that Antony appears to better appreciate/understand the sentiment of the common populace.
As a senator, Antony has a better grasp of their love and affinity for Caesar. Contrastingly Brutus believes that the common people should be able to separate their love for Caesar from their love for country/Rome.
To a large extent, Shakespeare depicts Brutus as a noble Roman who always acted , in his eyes, in the best interests of the state. In this regard, he may have been shortsighted; he did overlook or seemed to downplay certain problems, but there seems to be no doubt that he believed he was acting for the common good and out of noble and sincere motives.
Brutus allows Antony to speak at the funeral which can be interpreted as a sign of his nobility of character. However, politically it was not in Brutus’s best interests. And it did backfire as predicted by Cassius. Brutus expects Antony to prioritise the interests of Rome, according to Brutus’s vision of patriotism.
In contrast to Brutus, Antony’s speech at the Forum is laced with sarcasm and conceals his ulterior motives and a cynical subtext. He uses sarcasm to inflame the population whilst also concealing his “permission”. Throughout, Antony acknowledges Brutus’s motives but undermines his authority at the same time. He recognizes his rhetorical power: “How I had moved them.” After Antony’s speech which inflames emotions, he deliberately outlines Caesar’s will which is generous to all Roman citizens. C nurtures and stimulates support among the citizens in order to improve his support power base. “”Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.” “Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours and new-planted orchards. On this side Tiber, he hath left them you. And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures..” “Here was a Caesar!”
Brutus underestimates the degree to which Caesar enjoys the support of the commoners. After Antony’s speech, their focus is on revenge and mutiny; “Burn. Fire. Kill. Slay. Let not a traitor live.” Shakespeare captures their sense of anger and their animosity as well as their determination to seek revenge. “They are “rid like madmen through the gates of Rome”.