Julius Ceasar

Julius Caesar Analytical Essay
Bailey Haltinner In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the person with the most passion and drive is Brutus. Brutus is a huge supporter of the roman republic and believes strongly in the government. Even though Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, he is against any single man having total power, and fears that Caesar is getting too much power. Caesars enemies convince Brutus that the only way Caesar will lose his power is by taking his life, in order to preserve the republic. While other conspirators envy Caesar, only Brutus truly believes that Caesars death will make Rome a better place. Brutus is able to keep his personal and public life seperate, unlike Caesar. By giving priority to matters of state, he gives a perfect example of high Roman morals. While Brutus is torn between his loyatly to Caesar and his devotion to the roman republic, he ends up killing his friend anyway. An example of Brustus’s love for the republic, is when he left to go to the Senate. His wife didn’t want him to go, but he did anyway. And in his absence Portia, his wife, killed herself. In the end of the play, Brutus and Cassius go to war with Antony and Octavius, in a debate over Caesars death, and if it was right or wrong to kill him. Then, they notice that Titinius, one of Cassius’s best friends, was captured. With that, Cassius kills himself. Seeing that Cassius is dead, Titinius kills himself. Later, when Brutus’s army loses the battle, Brutus kills himself as well. Brutus’s character really demonstrates devotion to his republic and truely acted only on what he thought was best for Roman and for that, he was honored with his death. So the question is, which is more important? Being a good friend or being loyal to your republic? Well for Brutus, it was pretty evident being there for the citizens of Rome was much more important. It wasn’t however, an easy decision for Brutus to make. He was at war with himself because Caesar is his best friend, and deciding to take your best friend’s life because you think he is gaining to much power is pretty drastic. As a teenager, I would have to say my friendship with someone would come first. I definitely would not want to stand in the way of my friend achieving their goal. In this play, it leaves you with that question to ask yourself, would you rather be a good friend or do what you think is right for the citizens around you? Brutus set aside his personal friendship in order to do what was right for the republic, and died a hero.