Brutus: Man Of The Hour

2 Pages 596 Words

Brutus: Man of the Hour

“Caesar: Et tu, Brutè? Then fall Caesar. (Julius Caesar, III, i, 77)” This is one of the most famous lines in all of history, the pain-wracked lament of a man betrayed and murdered by his best friend. In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the playwright leaves no doubt that Brutus is the main character in Act II. Several examples of evidence are that Brutus takes the leadership of the conspiracy, how he gives several soliloquies, and how he is the character with the most obvious internal conflict.
“Brutus: O, name him not! Let us not break with him, for he will never follow anything that other men begin. (II, i, 150-152)” This is Brutus’ first decision as leader of the conspiracy, but not his last. As soon as he joins the conspiracy, all the others defer to him as their leader, and respect all his choices. Another example, “Brutus: Our course will seem too bloody Caius Cassius… when Caesar’s head is off. (II, i, 162-183)” shows that, even against the others’ better judgments, they respect Brutus so much as a leader that they listen to him, even though he will turn out to have been mistaken. Finally, when he “like an exorcist, hast conjured up the mortified spirit (II, i, 323-324)” of Caius Ligarius, the sick senator, to join Brutus’ plan, even though Caius Ligarius doesn’t know what Brutus is going to do, so strong is the reputation of Brutus’ honor. Next, Brutus is a main character because of his many soliloquies in the act.
“Brutus: It must be by his death… and kill him in the shell. (II, i, 10-34)” This soliloquy shows that Brutus has finally resolved to kill Caesar, and shows the audience his true feelings about the assassination. Another soliloquy talks about how it would be wrong to disturb the innocent sleep of Lucius, his boy servant, which is rather ironic, considering that he is about to murder his unsuspecting best friend. Finally, B...