Thursday, August 8, 2013

What essential themes does Brutus portray and/or struggle with? What does Shakespeare want the reader to feel or believe through Brutus?

Brutus is one of Shakespeare's most complex creations.In Julius Caesar,according to me,Brutus struggles not with his honour but rather,with his thirst to emulate Caesar.Brutus loves Caesar's power,his influence and dreams of emulating the ruler.For Brutus,being the second best is just not good enough.When one says Brutus struggles with his honor,he/she should really think very carefully.Brutus was not the most honorable Roman; whatever Anthony said.Remember Anthony was alive because of Brutus.Was he not just remembering a lucky escape? If Brutus was honorable why did he kill Caesar?Even if he believed Caesar was dangerous,how could he,as his closest confidant,betray him in the worst possible way?


Here is a copy-paste from an answer below: '...however, Marc Antony repeats the phrase "honorable man" several times in his funeral oration, making the point to the public that Brutus and conspirators have, by murdering his friend, acted dishonorably. '


Herein is proof of Anthony's swinging nature.When his fellow associates change their minds over him every few scenes,how can we label him an 'honorable man?' It is a disgrace,a mislabel.Brutus ruins the very essence of loyalty and through a barrage of mistakes,paves the way for his own downfall.


It is therefore not honesty and honor that is Brutus's main struggle...it is the lack of it.

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