Marcus Brutus, Caesar’s noble friend, joined the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar because of his love for Rome. The Lives of the Greeks and Romans gives a very good description of Brutus; it was not far off what Shakespeare describes Brutus as. Plutarch described Brutus as A marvelous lowly and gentle person, noble minded, and would never be in any rage, nor carried away with pleasure and covetousness; but had ever an upright mind with him, and would never yield to any wrong or injustice. (p. 139) Brutus was a very respected and honest man.
Casca, one of the conspirators, said that he was very respected by the people by saying “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.” (I, iii, l 157-160) Casca said this to Cassius. Marcus Brutus was very essential to the conspirators because this would have ensured that the people would listen to them. Brutus was also a true Roman. When Cassius and all of the other conspirators met Brutus at his house and all of them decided to murder Caesar, Cassius said that all of them should swear. Brutus then said, “No, not an oath: if the face of men, The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse-If these be motives weak, break off betimes,” (II, i, l 114-116) and “Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word And will not palter?” (II, i, l 125-126) Here, Brutus is saying that if they are true and honest Romans they do not have to take an oath, their word should be good enough. Brutus was the only man in the conspiracy with good intentions.
Brutus wants to assassinate Caesar for the good of Rome. The other conspirators are all doing it for their own selfish reasons. Brutus’ motives, for joining the conspirators, indicate that he was very public-minded and morally conscientious. When Brutus says “But for the general. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature, there’s the question:” (II, i, l 12-14) He was stating that it will be for the good of Rome to assassinate Caesar.
Also he did not want their assassination to seem too gruesome, this shows he was morally conscientious. When Cassius said that they should also kill Antony, Brutus says “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius.” (II, ii, l 162) Brutus was very smart and quick. He did not let anyone lead him on. An example of this was when Cassius first started to try to get Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius has just finished flattering him when Brutus says, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me?” (I, ii, l 63-65) In Brutus’s oliloquy, Brutus admits that he was deceiving himself in joining the conspiracy. When Brutus says, “I know no personal cause to spurn at him,” (II, i, l 11) he states that he has no personal motive to kill him.
He also says that his desires over-ruled his reasons when he says “I have not known when his affections sway’d More than his reason.” (II, i, l 20-21) He also cannot hold Caesar responsible for abusing his power. He proves this when he says “common proof.” (II, i, l 21) The only proof Brutus has for Caesar abusing his power is common knowledge. Throughout the play, Brutus becomes more and more convinced that he is correct and doing the right thing. This was one of Brutus’ major faults. By thinking this, Brutus believes that nobody will think different. This was his basis for leaving Antony alive.
This is one of the conspiracy’s chief mistakes. Antony later becomes their greatest problem. Brutus was a bad judge of character. Cassius manipulated him into joining the conspiracy.
Cassius clearly states that he has tricked Brutus when he says to himself “Well Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honorable mettle may be wrought From that it is dispose’d: therefore ’tis meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm cannot be s educ’d?” (I, ii, l 308-312) Brutus judges Cassius and all of the conspirators wrong. He believed that everyone was honest and noble like him. Brutus also believes that Antony is just a limb of Caesar and is helpless with Caesar gone. When Brutus and Cassius were debating over if they should slay Antony along with Caesar, Brutus said, “For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.” (II, i, l 165) and also when he says “If he love Caesar, all that he can do Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar: And that were much he should; for he is given To sports, to wildness, and much company.” (II, i, l 186-189) This was also incredibly incorrect.
Brutus had underestimated Antony, greatly. Antony was a very powerful man. He turned all of the people against the conspirators. Brutus has great love for his wife, Portia. Portia was very concerned for Brutus’ welfare. During the time, Brutus was making his decision about joining the conspiracy; Portia noticed a change in him.
She became concerned. When Brutus would not tell her why he is upset, she got down on her knees and begged Brutus to tell her what was going on in his life. Brutus said, “You are my true and honorable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart.” Brutus was the noblest of the conspirators. He was the only conspirator that wanted to assassinate Caesar for the good of Rome and not for their own selfish reasons. Marcus Brutus loved Rome and Caesar. Cassius confused and tricked Brutus into doing what he wanted.
Brutus thought the only way to save Rome was to kill Caesar. Brutus was a good man, an honest man, and all he wanted to do was to make Rome better for people to live in. He did not care whether he profited from it or not.