Essay On Brutus In Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'

Brutus easily changes from a sympathetic protagonist to a back stabbing, narcissist. In the beginning of Julius Caesar, Brutus was loyal to both of his allies: Caesar and Cassius. However, he was always thinking about the citizens in Rome. Brutus had made a self agreement to not be on one of his friends’ side, and doing this expected that nothing intense would happen. Later, in Act II scene i, Brutus is alone in his garden and debates whether if he should help kill Caesar. He concluded with realizing he had to murder Caesar. After he made his decision, he talked to other conspirators to plan the assassination of Caesar. Brutus quickly transforms from a innocent bystander, into a blood hungry, rapacious, traitor from Cassius’ manipulation when they plan to kill Caesar however, before he was reluctant. In the beginning of the play, Brutus was characterized as a complete considerate,
(Act I Scene ii 104-107)”
Cassius is explaining to Brutus how important it is to have Caesar assassinated. Cassius also has no trust in most of the Roman Citizens and says to Casca: “And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then? Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf But that he sees the Romans are but sheep; he were no lion, were not Romans hinds. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome, What rubbish, and what offal when it serves For the base matter to illuminate So vile a thing as Caesar!(Act I scene iii 107-115)”
Cassius believes the Romans are mindless sheep who are basically servants to Caesar. Cassius sees Brutus not like the mindless citizens of Rome, which is why he wants Brutus to help him. That Rome would be better off without Caesar. Cassius also says how peaceful Rome was before Caesar took power. Cassius is emphasizing how necessary it is for Rome to become a stronger nation but in order for it to be stable, someone must take