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| Character | Brutus | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive, Descriptive, Complaining, Frustrated, Malicious/scheming | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Tragedy | |
| Description | Brutus decides that Caesar must die | |
| Location | ACT II, Scene 1 | |
Summary
Caesar is celebrating his victory over Pompey with a military parade through the streets of Rome. The people of Rome show great support for him and some fear that Caesar has gained too much power and will become a dictator. In the first scene of the play we find two tribunes, Flavius and Murellus, scolding two commoners for celebrating Caesar's victory and remove decorations from all Caesar's statues.
Brutus confides to Cassius that he is afraid the people of Rome might elect Caesar king. Brutus, as a supporter of the Republic, is afraid of one man having too much power, even if Caesar is his friend. Cassius, an ambitious Roman general, is envious of Caesar's power and tries to get Brutus to help him and other conspirators eliminate Caesar. Casca, another politician, tells Cassius and Brutus that Anthony offered Caesar a crown several times and he refused it. Caesar also had a seizure and fell to the ground while he was on the parade. This endeared him to the people of Rome that seem eager to elect him king. Cassius decides to forge letters to make Brutus think that the people of Rome don't trust Caesar. The plan works and Brutus decides that Caesar must die.
In this monologue, in ACT II, Scene 1, Brutus considers the current political situation in Rome. He knows for a fact that Caesar will become king. What he doesn't know is if the power will corrupt him. He is a good friend of Caesar and has never seen him abuse his power but he decides that the power that he will gain will eventually corrupt him. Caesar, he says, is like "a serpent's egg", and therefore he will "kill him in the shell".
Brutus confides to Cassius that he is afraid the people of Rome might elect Caesar king. Brutus, as a supporter of the Republic, is afraid of one man having too much power, even if Caesar is his friend. Cassius, an ambitious Roman general, is envious of Caesar's power and tries to get Brutus to help him and other conspirators eliminate Caesar. Casca, another politician, tells Cassius and Brutus that Anthony offered Caesar a crown several times and he refused it. Caesar also had a seizure and fell to the ground while he was on the parade. This endeared him to the people of Rome that seem eager to elect him king. Cassius decides to forge letters to make Brutus think that the people of Rome don't trust Caesar. The plan works and Brutus decides that Caesar must die.
In this monologue, in ACT II, Scene 1, Brutus considers the current political situation in Rome. He knows for a fact that Caesar will become king. What he doesn't know is if the power will corrupt him. He is a good friend of Caesar and has never seen him abuse his power but he decides that the power that he will gain will eventually corrupt him. Caesar, he says, is like "a serpent's egg", and therefore he will "kill him in the shell".
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| 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 crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking. Crown him?--that;-- And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Will bear no colour for the thing he is, Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, Would run to these and these extremities: And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. |
