For this assessment you must demonstrate your understanding of claims and counterclaims by writing an opening paragraph to your
argumentative essay. This paragraph must clearly state your claim and counterclaim. Remember! Your opening paragraph must respond to the following prompt: Was Brutus a betrayer or a patriot?
While it may seem that Brutus is a betrayer in the sense that he did have a hand in the murder of Caesar, if it weren’t for Cassius sending those fake letters and telling lies about Caesar, Brutus may never have actually participated in the actual act. I’m not saying that if you believe someone doesn’t have right to rule you should kill them but in Brutus’ case he honestly believed that since Caesar was loved by so many people, if he didn’t kill him all of Rome would suffer. In his speech to the people Brutus says "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 honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him." This shows his mixed emotions about the situation. So, should Brutus be considered a patriot or a betrayer? I think the answer would have to be a betrayer. Whether or not he felt strongly about his reasoning to try and save Rome from Caesar as a ruler is irrelevant. The murder should never have happened. I’m sure there were other ways he could’ve tried to keep Caesar from becoming king.
