At tragic Hero
Brutus' Inability to Assume Political Leadership of the Conspiracy Against Julius Caesar In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare presents a broad range of historical personalities as complicated human beings in agonizing conflict with one another and with themselves. Literary authors A.L. Rowse once wrote, "No issue hinders a man's leadership capabilities more than his confusing perception of honor, noble idealism, and inner self-conflict" (15). In his drama about power, nobility, assassination, and revenge, Shakespeare examines this particular issue best in his simple yet complex characterization of Brutus. Guided by conflicting emotions, Brutus, an idealistic man, is unable to assume political leadership of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. However, although he ultimately participates in Caesar's murder, he is neither a clear-cut hero or villain. On the contrary, it is the corruption and instability of human nature that eventually leads to his downfall. Brutus lacks several important ingredients in regard to assuming political leadership: confidence and ambition. He is also indecisive. His inner conflict is first revealed in a conversation with Cassius in which he responds to Cassius' fear that his friend Brutus disap
The flaw of his reasoning is that Brutus does not raise the question of whether or King 3 not a moral end justifies immoral means, nor does he consider that his actions may be met with public disapproval. For the present, Brutus tells Cassius: Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us (1. He then promises to consider the information that Cassius has already presented, to discuss it further, and to give him an answer at a later date. Again, Brutus' conflict consists of his love for Caesar on one hand, and his concern for the social good and welfare of the Republic on the other. But as strongly as he holds to these ideals, he is just as strongly torn by conflicting loyalties to these ideals. Brutus' noble character is established by both Cassius and Caesar. He is torn between his love and admiration for Caesar and the anti-Caesar sentiments he admittedly shares with Cassius. He believes in their cause, but his nobility and self-conflict prevents him from leading the conspiracy.
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