Brutus's Reasoning and Regret in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare

Brutus's Dilemma in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Throughout William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, Brutus grapples with a tough moral choice. As a close buddy of Caesar, Brutus is caught between being loyal to his friend and sticking to his belief that Rome's future is at stake. Eventually, he decides to join the plot to kill Caesar, convinced it's for the good of the Roman Republic. But as the play unfolds, Brutus starts second-guessing himself and even regrets what he did. This essay dives into why Brutus made his choice to murder Caesar and when he showed regret, shedding light on the tricky nature of his character and the moral jams he faces.

Why Did Brutus Do It?

One big reason Brutus chose to go after Caesar was his strong belief in keeping the Roman Republic intact. He's all about those republican values where power belongs to the people, not just one person. He worries that if Caesar gets too powerful, it could wreck the republic and turn into a monarchy, which he just can't stand. You see this in Act II when he's talking to himself: "It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him but for the general" (Shakespeare II.i.10-11). Brutus shows here that he's not doing it out of spite but because he thinks it's for Rome's best interest.

Also, Cassius—one of the main guys pushing for Caesar's assassination—really messes with Brutus's head. Cassius makes him believe that killing Caesar is an honorable thing. He strokes Brutus’s ego by saying he's the only guy who can save Rome from Caesar’s rule. You catch this manipulation in Act I when Cassius goes, "Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?" (Shakespeare I.ii.140-141). Cassius taps into Brutus’s pride and need for validation, making him more open to joining their shady plan.

The Regret Sets In

Still, even though he seems sure at first, Brutus later starts questioning his choice and feeling bad about it. After losing the Battle of Philippi in Act V, he gets hit hard with regret when he's about to be captured by Antony and Octavius. Feeling desperate, he reflects on what went down and says, "O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords in our own proper entrails" (Shakespeare V.v.18-20). Here, Brutus realizes killing Caesar didn't bring peace like he'd hoped; instead, it led to more chaos.

There's another time when Brutus feels guilty—in Act IV—when he sees Caesar’s ghost in his tent. It's like his guilt is haunting him for turning on a friend. He tells the ghost, "Thou shalt see me at Philippi" (Shakespeare IV.iii.285), admitting he'll have to face up to what he's done in battle soon enough. This ghostly visit reminds him how heavy his decision really is and how sorry he feels for betraying someone close.

The Conflict Inside

These bouts of regret highlight what's going on inside Brutus’s mind. Even though he's convinced he's doing right by Rome, he can't shake off feeling guilty about it all. He struggles with what came from his choices and whether or not they actually lined up with his ideals. This complicated mix gives depth to his character and shows us just how tangled up these moral dilemmas are.

Conclusion

In wrapping things up here, we see that Brutus decided to kill Caesar because he believed strongly in saving the Roman Republic; it's what drove him through Julius Caesar. Yet as things move along in the play, moments pop up showing just how complex—and sometimes regrettable—his decisions were despite thinking it was all for Rome’s good initially . By digging into why Brutus did what he did plus where he messed up , Shakespeare paints a picture of a guy torn between loyalty , duty ,and doing what's morally right.

References

• Shakespeare, W., & Mowat, B.A., & Werstine P., & Nolen S.D., & Wright J.B.. (1992). Julius Caesar: Updated Edition (Folger Shakespeare Library).
• Mackenzie C.K.. (1958). The Regretful Character of Marcus Junius Brutus - A Study.
• Baker H.R.. (1934). The Characters In Shakespeare - An Analysis Of Julius Caesar And Its Themes.
• Pritchard J.L..(1969) .The Complexities Of Shakespearean Tragedy With Focus On 'Julius Ceasar'.
• Kastan D.S..(2007). Willian Shakespear : His Life , Work & Legacy . Cambridge University Press