Marcus Brutus 'Domination With Reason In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar'

Alan Zhou
English 10 5th hour
Julius Caesar Essay
January 18, 2011 Domination with Reason Descartes once stated that humans were superior to animals due to their ability to reason. Reason – the “universal instrument” – is what allows Man to triumph over nature. While all men are capable of reason, few men possess the ability to use reason to define their roles in society and determine their fates. Marcus Brutus from the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is one such man. Brutus uses his rationale and logical reasoning to surpass challenges and conflicts throughout the story. Brutus ultimately ends his own life, but not before taking the life of Julius Caesar, the title character of the play. It is this determination of
Brutus wholeheartedly believed that killing Caesar was better for Rome. Brutus states that his actions were “not that [he] loved Caesar less, but that [he] loved Rome more.” By having “Caesar dead”, Brutus allowed the plebians “to live” as “free men”. (3.2.24-26). Brutus’s actions here ended the reign of Caesar and changed the future of Rome. His actions towards the end of the play even influence the outcome. Brutus allows for the rise of the second triumvirate and Mark Antony by killing himself. He tells his servant that “Our enemies have beat us to the pit./ It is more worthy to leap in ourselves” (5.5.27-28). These are Brutus’s words of defeat. This end signifies the rise of the 2nd triumvirate (Antony, Octavius, and Ledipus). On the other hand, Caesar plays no part in conclusion of the tragedy. When Brutus sees the likeness of Caesar in a dream, Caesar gives an ominous message implying to Brutus not to go to Philippi. The ghost says, “… thou shalt see me at Philippi.” (4.3.327). The ghost of Caesar, unimportant and disregarded is perceived as a “day dream.” Brutus, not paying any attention to the dead and gone Caesar, does not listen. In this sense, Caesar does not make a strong enough impression upon other characters in the play to be taken
Upon news of Caesar’s death, the plebians believed they were “blest that Rome [was] rid of him”. The only one who truly “weeps” about Caesar is Mark Antony, who is considered a “limb of Caesar”. But instead of wanting to revenge Caesar, Antony uses Caesar’s death as a tool to destroy the conspirators and seize power from Brutus. After swaying the plebians with his speech about Caesar’s death, Antony remarks that the “mischief” that he has created is now “afoot”. He sits back to “let it work”. (3.3.275-276). The paltry amount of mourning for Caesar’s death and the use of it in Antony’s political antics reveal the little sentimental value people of Rome felt for Caesar. Brutus, on the other hand, is still remembered and respected to the end of the play. Antony pays his respects to him, “This was the noblest Roman of them all./…/ He [alone] in a general honest thought/ And common good to all [joined] them.” (5.5.74, 77-78). In face of such tragedy, Antony, Brutus’s opponent, regards him as an equal and a noble. Brutus is still highly respected and honored when dead. Antony’s speech helps the reader see Brutus’s honor and push away his evil deeds. These closing