Examples Of Brutus Unusual Behavior

“Julius Caesar”
Act II
Brutus’ Behavior

Brutus’ unusual behavior can be contributed to several things. Brutus and Caesar have been life-long friends. Brutus feels loyalty toward Caesar, but he is torn because he feels that Caesar is abusing his power and has risen far too quickly. The letter from Cassius makes Brutus think that the Roman people want Caesar dead so that Rome can be restored. Brutus is a vain man and is easily manipulated by Cassius’ letter. Brutus twists the letter’s meaning to fulfill his own desire for power. “Brutus thou sleep’st: awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress. Brutus, thou sleep’st: awake. Such instigations have been often dropped Where I have took them up. “Shall Rome,
“Speak, strike, redress.” Am I entreated To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, If the redress will follow, thou receivest
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!”

Repeatedly, Brutus states that he has not slept since Cassius’ letter stirred up such strong feelings against Caesar. Brutus feels great pressure to join the conspiracy against Caesar. The other people in the conspiracy know that if Brutus joins them, the conspiracy will have the people’s interest at heart. Roman citizens believe that Brutus is a patriot and cares more about Rome than his feelings for Caesar or anything else. The decision he had to make would come at a price no matter which way he decided. Brutus says,
“He would be crowned.
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
And then I grant we put a sting in him.
That at his will he may do danger with.”
Brutus realizes there is no other way but to join the conspiracy. This makes his behavior worse. His judgment was clouded because all the people in the conspiracy were recommending more people and more things to make the murder plot successful. Over and over, Brutus turned them and their suggestions
His wife, Portia, began to notice a change in Brutus’ behavior. She says that he has left her bed and given her unkind looks. She starts to worry and confronts him about it but he won’t tell her anything.
“Nor for yours neither, Y’have ungently, Brutus
Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper
You suddenly arose and walked about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across; and when I asked you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks.”
Portia begged Brutus to confide in her. He lied and told her that he was sick. She told him that it appeared to be a sickness of the mind.
“No, my Brutus: You have some sick offense within your mind, Which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of:”

In spite of his loyalty to Caesar and his inner turmoil, the letter convinces Brutus to join in the conspiracy to murder Caesar. He felt that the letter was from Rome’s citizens and that they wanted him to be their rescuer and not just a note written by Cassius. His greatest error was wanting to uphold the republic while breaking the fundamental rules of the republic by attempting to murder and overthrow the leader of the republic. He tried to pretend that killing Caesar was not murder, when it clearly