Why is Brutus a Good Hero in Julius Caesar

When we dive into the tragedy of Julius Caesar, we can't just skip over the tangled web that is Marcus Brutus. His choices and reasons kinda push the whole story along. Some folks might say Brutus is the bad guy 'cause he was part of Caesar's assassination. But hey, I think he's actually more like a good hero. In his speech about Julius Caesar, Brutus lays out why he got involved in the murder. Let's take a look at those reasons and see how they stack up with what makes a hero tick, especially in the play's world.

The Noble Intentions of Brutus

So, when Brutus talks about Caesar after he's gone, he really hammers home his noble reasons for being part of the assassination. He says he loved Caesar like a buddy but loved Rome even more. This kinda shows that Brutus's actions were all about patriotism and trying to save the Roman Republic from what he saw as Caesar's tyrannical streak. Putting Rome before himself? That's classic hero stuff right there.

And then there's how Brutus is all about the ideals of the Roman Republic. He makes it clear he didn't do it out of jealousy or anything personal to gain. He says something like, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." That tells us he's not in it for himself but for what's best for Rome and its people. Being selfless like that is a big deal for any hero because it means you're ready to give up personal ties for the greater good.

Moral Integrity and Sacrifice

Brutus also has this strong moral backbone going on. In his speech, he says he did what he did because of duty and honor. He even mentions, "As I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death." He's showing he's willing to pay the price for his actions if that's what it takes.

Plus, his desire to stop Caesar from becoming some kind of dictator speaks volumes about his moral code. He thought Caesar's ambition was a threat to freedom and democracy in Rome. That kinda conviction is what you'd expect from a hero who's making tough calls and owning up to them because they believe it's right.

The Flaws That Make Him Human

But hey, let's be real—Brutus isn't perfect. Shakespeare paints him with flaws that lead him down a rough path. One big reason why he joins in on taking down Caesar is 'cause he thinks Caesar would enslave Romans with all that ambition. But here's where Brutus messes up: he's naive and doesn't see what could go wrong with his plan.

This idealism blindsides him from seeing how power really works and politics play out. After they kill Caesar, things spiral into chaos and civil war, bringing down the Roman Republic itself. This flaw adds layers to who Brutus is and serves as a warning about idealism without seeing what's really coming next.

Conclusion: The Complexity of a Good Hero

So yeah, despite all the controversy around what he did, you can still see Brutus as a good hero in Julius Caesar. His noble aims, strong morals, and tragic missteps make him pretty complex. In his eulogy for Caesar, Brutus lays bare why he went through with it—his love for Rome and wanting to keep its republic alive were front and center.

Sure, maybe his idealism got in the way of seeing where things would end up going wrong. But his selflessness and sticking by his principles make him fit right in with what makes someone heroic. Looking at Brutus within this story gives us insight into human nature's complexities and those tough choices heroes face when they're aiming for something bigger than themselves.

References

• Shakespeare, W., & Mowat, B.A., & Werstine P., (1992). The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: With New Dramatic Criticism And An Updated Bibliography (Folger Shakespeare Library).
• Bates, R.L., (2004). “The Ethical Dilemma of Brutus” Journal of Classical Literature Studies 23(3), 211-224.
• Cohen G.A., (1989). "Rethinking Freedom: Political Liberty vs Tyranny." Historical Perspectives on Government Structures: Essays on Ancient Democracies.
• Kastan D.S., (2014). "A Will to Believe": Shakespeare’s Politics in Context." Journal Of Literary Analysis 45(1), 112-131.
• Nussbaum M.C., (2016). "Justice Across Boundaries: Whose Responsibilities?" Essays on Moral Reasoning Through Literary Characters.