He goes so far as to say that “it must be by his [Caesar’s] death… he would be crowned… think him as a serpent’s egg (which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous) and kill him in the shell” (pages 41-42). In stark contrast to the harsh nature of planning of the murder, Brutus is portrayed as a close friend of Caesar’s, a loving husband to Portia, a wise military leader to his men, and a kind master to Lucius, his servant. However, due to his ancestor’s key role in establishing the Roman Republic and his own sense of justice, Brutus feels responsible to ensure the continued stability of the republic by any means – even if that details murdering Caesar. Antony calls Brutus’ stab the “unkindest cut of all” (page 101), showing how Caesar is betrayed by his most trusted friend. In the end, Brutus needs to weigh the republic’s existence against his friend, a man aspiring to be dictator. Choosing his city over Caesar, Brutus feels remorse for what he has done. Brutus’ guilt has so overrun him that it manifests itself into the “ghost of Caesar,” an ethereal being visible only to him, as the sole way for Brutus to acknowledge the dishonorable crime he has committed against his…