After finishing the play Julius Caesar and looking back at some acts in detail, there seems to be a controversial topic about Brutus and the death of Caesar. Throughout the play, there have been many scenes in which Brutus has been manipulated, whether it be Cassius or Mark Antony, to doing something. However, we also know that Brutus was torn about some decision in his head during his confrontation with Cassius. Was it Brutus’s gullibility that leads to his demise, or was there some intent to killing Caesar?
There are multiple occasion in which Brutus was tricked into thinking under someone else; however only a few instants where Brutus expresses him. During the race, Brutus and Cassius had a discussion which was about Brutus, however developed into a plot to take the throne from Caesar. Brutus, however, stated ” Nor construe any further my neglect. Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, forgets the shows of love to other men” (I.ii. 45). There isn’t a lot to conclude about what exactly Brutus is conflicted about, so based on inferences, the audience can only assume it is about Caesar in some fashion. The production of Julius Caesar by the African American Shakespeare Company gives some helpful interpretation to Brutus’s inner struggle from his body language and facial cues. His absented face after Cassius mentions stories about Caesar, and how Cinna talks truthfully about Caesar, help with the idea that Brutus was thinking about Caesar’s infinite power and popularity.
In contrast, we see both Mark Antony and Cassius take advantage of Brutus’s kindness to help incite their ideas about the future of Rome. We could view Act 1 Scene 2 as the first time Brutus was tricked into becoming a conspirator. Mark Antony’s last words to Brutus’s body, stating ¨he was the noblest Roman of all… a rare example of a real man¨ (V.v.) perhaps as an apology to Brutus, using his kindness and gullibility to avenge Caesar.
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