Critical Analysis of Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar - Research Paper Example

Critical Analysis of Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar Shakespeare’s plays epitomize a multidimensional exploration of human behaviors, nature and psychology, which provides the readers with a multi-perspective reiteration of the good and bad sides of human beings. His art of characterization comprises a complex amalgamation of a variety of dimensions of a single individual’s nature, and this technique makes the reading of his plays an enlightening experience for the readers as they are able to learn a million things about the most basic human instincts and reality. The universality of Shakespeare’s characterization is aptly described by Paris when he says that, “Literature embodies perceptions that are under or before language that are not yet analyzed, realized in institutions or perhaps even understood” (20). In other words, Shakespeare’s characters were created in a time when the field of psychology was still under the process of finding its footing in the world of education. However, it was literature and the genius mind of Shakespeare that helped the world be initiated into the world of human psychology. Julius Caesar is a play set in the Roman times; it is about power dynamics and the world of politics. However, the play’s plot and setting only acts as a platform for Shakespeare to explore and present the readers with a keen insight into human behaviors, jealousies, insecurities and lust for power. Interestingly, Shakespeare places the character of Brutus as a tragic hero in the play. This is a similar technique that he employs in Macbeth as well since it is observed that like Macbeth, the audience is unable to fully hate Brutus for his actions. Moreover, the confusing dialogues which highlight his negative and positive qualities are a source of constant confusion for the readers, and it does not help them in making a definite point of view about him, his character, and his actions. The various sides of Brutus’ characters that are depicted in the play include Brutus as a husband, father, a successful leader, an opponent, and a loving friend. However, the projection of his tragic flaws is more focused on the basis of Brutus as a successful leader and opponent and a friend. Moreover, all his soliloquies and dialogues rather than solve the mystery of his true nature or character, only result in confusing the readers a little more as his character and action appear to be contradicting one another. In the play, Antony calls Brutus the “Noblest Roman” (58); this title aptly describes one of the best qualities of Brutus, i.e. he is a man of conviction who believes in his principles and based on his judgment he leads his life. Furthermore, it is observed that according to Agarwalla, “Brutus alone of all the tragic heroes of Shakespeare acts from the conviction of being right” (94). Nevertheless, this is Brutus’s impression of the world while on the inside, he remains a mortal who has his demons to deal with and his fair share of dilemmas and turmoil, which he tries to deal with throughout the course of the play. As it is observed from the lines when he says, Cassius, Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I am Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; But let not therefore my good friends be grieved-- Among which number, Cassius, be you one-- Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men. (10) These lines project a man of less words and more action. Although regardless of him being a noble individual, yet when he says, “that poor Brutus, with himself at war,” he foreshadows his ensuing actions and decisions later in the play, and his current battle with his inner demons. Ribner believes that Julius Caesar is based on the tradition of an English morality play with a tragic hero as he, Is faced with a choice between good and evil; through his own imperfections he makes a wrong choice, comes to see the error of his choice in his consequent suffering and before his death renounces it. This progression is fully displayed in Brutus and partially in Caesar. (53) This comment is a pertinent and concise explication of the essence of Brutus’s true character and his tragic flaw. His dilemma begins from the time when he realizes that there is a grave possibility that the people of Rome might make Julius Caesar the King, and his dream of seeing a free Roan Republic will not be fulfilled. Hence, the oscillation between his love for his dear friend and his country emerges from time to time in the first two and a half acts of the play. For example, BRUTUS What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king. CASSIUS Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. BRUTUS I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. (15) This dialogue clearly reiterates his inner turmoil as both Rome and Caesar are two very dear things in his life; however, selecting between the two is his given ‘choices of good and evil’. His suffering and anguish are evident in the lines, “If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of/Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar/was no less than his. If then that friend demand/why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:/--Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved/Rome more” (60). His pain over the decision and sacrifice he had to make because of his forthright nature, which forced him to follow his convictions and beliefs, acts as his tragic flaw. Then, towards the end he ‘renounces his actions’ before he commits suicide, where he says, “Caesar, now be still: I kill'd not thee with half so good a will” (66). This dialogue can be interpreted as a penance for his failures and misjudgments. Then again it is impossible to ignore the other side of the picture which is presented by the author through Brutus’s actions i.e. human lust for power. Regardless of Brutus’s assertion that he killed Caesar because he loved his country more yet it is observed that he was also driven by negative emotions such as jealousy and hatred for his best friend’s imminent rule. Furthermore Caesar’s rule in Rome would have meant the end of Brutus’s dream of a free Roman Republic so it can be inferred that Brutus’s actions of killing his best friend in cold-blood also reflect at another major characteristic trait in human beings which is selfishness. In other words where Brutus symbolizes the contrast or the multi-faceted existence of human beings his character also depicts the fact that negative emotions like jealousy and selfishness are a recipe for disaster as these emotions only lead human rationality astray. As a writer Shakespeare does not criticizes the actions of any of his characters instead he leaves the job of passing a verdict or forming their personal opinions to the readers and his audience likewise. However, it cannot be denied that such an unbiased, clever and strategic depiction of human nature also indirectly reflects on the mastery and brilliance of the dramatist as well as his close study of human behaviors, natures and reactions. Through Shakespeare’s portrayal of Brutus’s character the irony of human reality can be effectively understood i.e. through his character the readers realize that human beings are a contradictory mix of good and bad virtues. There is no set pattern or rules that can define human beings and their nature instead human beings are such complex specimens of God’s creations whose entire existence is based on irony and ambiguities. However, regardless of his flaws, it is observed that Brutus was a man of honor, and in all his varying behaviors and decisions the readers learn a lot about human psychology and power dynamics through his character. An important lesson that is learned from Brutus’s mistakes is that even though intelligence, sound judgment and intellect are highly prized in human beings, yet it only takes one mistake or a wrong decision to diminish an individual’s rationality. Moreover, the good intensions cannot account for success because one tiny mistake is enough to lead an individual to the path of destruction, failure, and disappointment. Hence, Shakespeare through Brutus’s character makes his audience realize that this world is full of friends and foes, yet it totally depends on the individual whether he/she is able to see the true faces of his/her well-wishers and enemies or not, so caution is the key. Works Cited Agarwalla, S.S. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributers, 1995. Print. Paris, Bernard J. Character As a Subversive Force in Shakespeare: The History and Roman Plays. Rutherford: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1991. Print. Ribner, Irving. Patterns in Shakespearean Tragedy. Edinburgh: T & A Constable Ltd., 1960. Print. Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. London: Penguin Books, 1990. Print. Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. London: Penguin Books, 1990. Print. Read More