Brutus Soliloquy Quotes

Brutus’ soliloquy in Act II is very important to the plot of Julius Caesar. Shakespeare uses it to provide insight into the inner most thoughts of Marcus Brutus as he decides if he should kill his best friend, Caesar. Brutus’ mental anguish and demonstrations of major flaws proves that Julius Caesar is a tragedy and he is the tragic hero. Brutus establishes his role as the tragic hero by expressing the internal struggle between his love for Rome and Caesar through his inability to make rational decisions; ultimately succumbing to his lack of self-knowledge and deception. Brutus deceives himself by creating an image of Caesar that is more tyrannical than in reality. Brutus compares Caesar to a poisonous snake to establish the possible threat he poses: “It is the bright day that brings forth the adder/ And that craves wary walking” (II.i.14-15). Using a metaphor, Brutus demonstrates that Caesar is dangerous. The “bright day” Brutus refers to is the day Caesar is crowned; with the
Brutus has never seen Caesar’s emotions corrupt him, but questions Caesar’s true intentions: “And to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway’d/ More than his reason. But ‘tis a common proof/ That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,” (II.i. 19-21) Brutus weighs his love for Caesar against his use of humility complicating the plot. However, Brutus does not fairly consider both sides of the dilemma. Brutus only considers the hindrance Caesar poses to Rome and not the consequences that can result from his death. Further, there is a contrast between fact and fiction. It is a fact that Caesar has never let his emotions affect his decisions; as well as an ambitious person using humility to reach ultimate power, but it is only an opinion that connects the two. Therefore, Brutus’ irrational thinking results in unsound