Marcus Brutus

Character analysis:

• Honour and Integrity 

  • Brutus is a person of integrity. Brutus firmly believes that Caesar's ambition and power could lead to the downfall of the Roman Republic, acting firmly for the greater good, not for personal gain. This shows Brutus's commitment to his principles of integrity, placing the welfare of Rome above his personal desires (for Caesar, his friend to be kept alive)

  • Throughout the play, Brutus goes through much internal turmoil, showing his deep sense of ethics. Brutus wrestles with his conscience before joining the conspiracy, showing that he does not take this decision lightly. Even after the assassination's ended, Brutus can't stop thinking about it, and is even visited by Caesar's ghost. My interpretation is that Caesar's ghost is a metaphor for Brutus's guilt, and how he is haunted by it. Eventually, Brutus kills himself with the same dagger that killed Caesar. 

    • • "Kill him in the shell"

      • "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more"

      • "You have some sick offence within your mind" (Portia)

      • "I kill'd not thee with half so good a will"

      • "Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar"

• Idealistic/ Naive

  • Brutus believes that if he assasinates Caesar, the Roman Republic will be restored to its former glory, being genuinely concerned for public welfare. However, he does not consider the political climate, the support for Caesar. He believes that he is noble, and has an important role in saving Rome. His trust in his fellow conspirators allows him to be easily manipulated. Furthermore, Brutus was too idealistic in allowing Antony to speak to the plebeians. Brutus believed that it would be too violent if they killed Antony, and that Antony was nothing without Caesar