Justification of Brutus’ Betrayal of William Shakespeare´s...

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar, the character of Marcus Brutus is tasked with making a difficult choice: either kill one of his most beloved friends, or risk the corruption and downfall of Rome. Though Brutus acknowledges the ethical and moral concerns of his actions, he commits to the conspiracy against Caesar, and carries it out with conviction. The question, however, is whether or not Brutus’ actions are justifiable from an objective point of view. Unlike most other political assassinations, Brutus isn’t a hysterical stranger distraught with the target, but a close ally, and trusted friend. Brutus justifies his own doings by convincing himself and others that they’re sacrificing, not murder Caesar, and acting not out†¦show more content†¦I could be well moved if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the Northern Star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks. They are all fire, and every one doth shine; But there’s but one in all doth hold his place. (III.i.58-65) Caesar establishes himself as undeniably permanent by equating himself to the North Star, by which sailors and travelers would navigate, and around which the stars themselves revolve. Caesar also states that he has no equals amongst his people, effectively raising himself above his former peers and almost comically making him a target his assassination, which comes shortly after this event. This speech by Caesar gives reason for great concern amongst the Romans, as his attitude an arrogance have reached a critical level, even before taking the reigns as emperor. Gordon Ross Smith, in his article â€Å"Brutus, Virtue, and Will† says about Brutus: However, in the soliloquy in which he decides that Caesar must be murdered (II. i. i0-34) one can see his virtue and his intellect working together to produce only rationalization. He admits that he has no personal reason to kill Caesar (II. i. 10-12); he admits Caesar has shown no sign of his emotions over- powering his