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Marcus Brutus, The Most Noble Roman in Shakespeare's Play Julius Caesar

Decent Essays

Being ethical, patriotic, reasonable, and showing selflessness are just a few characteristics of a noble man. After the death of respected Julius Caesar, the speedy fight for power exposed the veracious side of Roman figures. William Shakespeare, in his play Julius Caesar, examines the struggles for the title of the noblest Roman between ethical Marcus Brutus and other power thirsty Romans to reveal the most honorable man. Marcus Brutus shows qualities of a noble roman through patriotism. He makes many tough decisions that result in questioning his character, but the actions he takes are for the betterment and out of the love for Rome. After the assassination of Caesar, Brutus orders: “And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood / Up …show more content…

Brutus can be summarized as a welcoming and loving person. Although he’s classified as a conspirator against Caesar, he tried to not scare Romans and Antony. After killing Caesar, Brutus attempts to explain and make peace with Antony by saying:
“Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome-
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity-
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony:
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence” (III.i.169-176).
By saying this to his enemy, he lessened the tension and showed ethics that he did not plan on killing Caesar’s companion. He only targeted who was wrong for Rome. Due to Brutus’s high moral standards and ethical values, he received a great amount of respect from his followers. When Brutus came close to his death he said farewell and thanked his followers. As his hands shook he said: “My heart doth joy that yet in all my life / I found no man but he was true to me. / I shall have glory by this losing day / More than Octavius and Mark Antony / By this veil conquest shall attain unto. / So fare you well at once” (V.v.34-390).
By saying this Brutus tells his followers that in all his life time, he hasn’t met a man that was untrue to him. Brutus’ followers only greatly respected him because he was caring and loving to him. Not only was Brutus ethical and

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