What reason does Brutus give to join the conspiracy against Julius Caesar?
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EXPERT ANSWERS
URTHONA | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
In deciding whether to join the conspiracy, Brutus must choose between his friendship with (and admiration of) Caesar and his public responsibility to prevent Caesar’s alleged ambition to undermine the Roman Republic. Cassius has convinced Brutus that Caesar plans to install himself as monarch. A monarchy would rob the Romans of their long-held liberties.
In his soliloquy in Act II, Scene i, Brutus resolves his inner conflict. He states that he will join the conspiracy because of Caesar’s ambition to be crowned:
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It must be by his death: and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general good. He would be crown’d: How that might change his nature. . . .
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And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg Which, hatch’d, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell.
After Caesar’s assassination, Brutus explains his actions to the plebeians (average citizens) in the Forum (Act III, Scene ii):
. . . If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.
After Caesar's murder, the plebeian demand an explanation. Brutus rises to the pulpit and silence is done to hear him. In short prayer, he explains that he killed Caesar to avoid people become slaves. He claims that he killed Caesar, not because he didn't love him, but he loved Rome more. However, after Mark Antony's speech about Caesar's will, the silent crowd puts itself in growing fury.
