14 CHAPTER III BRUTUS'CHARACTER TRAITS It is really tragic that Julius Caesar is killed by his beloved friend, Marcus Brutus. As a friend, Brutus has no personal reason to kill Caesar, but as a citizen, he has the responsibility to kill Caesar to prevent Caesar's tyranny to his people. He wants Rome to always be a repub- lic. Brutus has noble motivation as he is supported by several Senators and Aristocratic families yet he fails in his attempt to save Rome. The 'writer wants to diecuss Bru- tus'characters to find the reasons that cause him fail in his conspiracy against Caesar. Brutus' character traits. Brutus is one of the important citizens in Rome. He comes from an old Aristocratic family, and he is also married to a woman of the same Aristocratic class. As a man of noble rank, Brutus has noble characters. He has great mind and soul and he really scorns dishonourable deeds. It is because of his noble characters that Brutus is willing to conspire against Caesar, but it is also because of his noble characters that he fails in his goal to keep Rome as a Republic. 15 I. Brutus'positive traits. I.I. Brutus' honourable trait. Brutus places a lot of emphasis on honour and integri- ty. When Cassius starts to approach Brutus with the inten- tion to have Brutus in his conspiracy against Caesar, Brutus thinks that it is important to consider it. Brutus thinks that the reason is honorable as it is for the general good of his country. That makes Brutus interested to talk about how honour is very important for a man and he himself regards honour very highly. Brutus: If it aught toward the general good , Set honour in one eye, and death i'th 'other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let gods so speed me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. (I, ii, 85-9) Brutus loves honour more than everything even his death: It is better to die than to do something dishonourable. In this case, Brutus is a real gentleman as he has an honora- 16 ble attention for his country. About Brutus' honourable intention is also admitted by Cinna, Casca, and Ligarius. Cinna: O.Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party . (I, iii, 137-8) Casca: 0, he sits high in all the people's hearts; And that which would appear offence in us His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness (Act I,scene iii, 157-60) Ligarius: I arn not sick if Brutus have in. hand Any exploit worthy the name of honour. (II, i, 316-7) When Cassius plans the conspiracy against Caesar, Cinna, Casca, and Ligarius directly states that Brutus should be included in the conspiracy because he is a noble man. He is very respected because he is well known for his honour. Brutus is highly respected and loved by the people. There- fore, he is worthy for the conspiracy. He is considered as the most honoured man. If Brutus is in the conspiracy, people will regard it a noble conspiracy. Nobody will 17 accuse Brutus as an ambitious man, so people will not blame Brutus or the other conspirators for killing Caesar. Ligarius also believes that Brutus's involvement in the conspiracy is important for the plot against Caesar is be- cause of his honourable trait. So he is not worried if Brutus leads the conspiracy. Because Ligarius has a very high regard on Brutus, that he is willing to be with Brutus in whatever condition he is. Next, the writer finds that Brutus'action to kill Caesar is also for an honourable reason. He seriously con- siders Cassius' plan to conspire against Caesar as he thinks that Caesar's intention to be a king is something that is dishonourable . As an honourable person, Brutus has the duty to think about his people and country. Brutus'honourable thought is reflected at the time he hears people choose Caesar for their king. Brutus: What mean this shouting? I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king. Cassius:Then must I think you would not have it so Brutus: 1 would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. (I, ii, 78-82) 18 Brutus states his inner conflict between his duty to the Republic and his personal love for Caesar. He has admitted that he loves honour more than anything and because he thinks that Caesar is dishonourable in his ambition to be a king, Caesar should be killed. Yet he likes CaeBar and Caesar also likes him, if he kills Caesar, it will mean that he has betrayed Caesar's friendship. Because of this problem, Brutus has to really think about the right thing to do, to kill Caesar or not. Brutus: It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. -He would be crowned. How that might change hi3 nature, there is the question. (II, i, 10-13) Brutus does not bear a personal grudge against Caesar. It is his belief that Caesar would be a tyrant when he is crowned and because of that he must get rid of Caesar before Caesar's tyranny can harm the Roman. He has a strong sense of honour and deep feeling of responsibility to protect the freedom of his country. Caesar must die for the general good. Although he kills his friend, the gener- al good for his country is his main concern and in this 19 case, Brutus' loves honour more than everything, even his friendship. His reason to kill Caecar is for an honourable reason. He is a man who cares more about principles than peo- ple. He uses principles to justify the murder of a.friend. He is so blinded by ideals that he cannot see into his own heart or recognize the needs of the world. (Spring, 16). Brutus is willing to conspire against Caesar although he has to betray his friendship with Caesar. His principle to save his country from the tyranny of Caesar Is greater than his friendship with Caesar. Antony also says that Brutus thinks the good of people in his mind in his conspiracy against Caesar. He has no personal reason or envy to Caesar. His motive is different from the other conspirators. Antony: This was the noblest Roman of them all All the. conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Cae sar; (V, v, 68--70) It is clear that Brutus kills Caesar for the good of his people. He has no personal envy. He kills Caesar only be- cause Caesar is ambitious. And it is really respected by Antony that Brutus is an honourable person. 20 Antony: His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man'!. (V, v, 73-5). Brutus is simply too noble for the world he lives in. He kills Caesar only to do what is best for his country. He remains faithful to his principles to the end. Everyone admires him and seeks his friendship as he is honorable in his intention. He tries to be better than he can (Spring, 17). The play's theme is a single one, liberty versus tyranny. Brutus is the one who struggles for liberty and Caesar is the one who acts as a tyrant in Brutus"mind. So in this case, Brutus is really noble in his action in committing assassination against Caesar.(Rosen, 199) Furthermore, the writer can look at Brutus' honourable trait when he reftises to kill Antony at the same time when he kills Caesar. Actually, what Cassius suggests that Mark Antony be killed with Caesar is a sensible view in the political strategy. Mark Antony, an experienced general who is popular with hie troops, will have the ability to revenge and will strike back if he is allowed to live, 22 his country while killing Antony is not true as he finds no mistake in Antony. In this case, the writer finds ho- nourable motive in Brutus as his motive to kill Caesar is pure for his country. He only kills the person who is proved to be dangerous for his country and he will not kill an innocent man like Antony. 1.2. Brutus' trustworthy trait. Brutus belongs to the men who are thinkers, philoso- phers and idealists. (Coles,27). He believes that others are influenced by the same ideals as what he has. He never suspects others. He also thinks that everyone can be trusted like himself, as what he says is always the same as what is in his mind. He never pretends or manipulates others as he is a trustworthy man. When Brutus is worried of Caesar's growing power, Brutus talks about it honestly to Cassius. Brutus: What means this shouting ? I do fear- people choose Caesar for their king. Cassius: Ay, do you fear it ? Then I must think you would not have it so. (1, ii,78-81) 22 his country while killing Antony is not true as he finds no mistake in Antony. In this case, the writer finds ho- nourable motive in Brutus as his motive to kill Caesar is pure for his country. He only kills the person who is proved to be dangerous for his country and he will not kill an innocent man like Antony. 1.2.