Motivation Is Good For Romans

“ If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye, and death i’ th’ other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so peed me as I love the name of honour more than I fear death.” (Brutus; Act 1:2; Lines 84 – 88) This quote is one of the most significant characterizations about Marcus Brutus. It is significant because it shows that Brutus is a noble and honorable man. By this means he would rather kill himself than to lose his honor. “Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; Let’s Carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.” (Brutus; Act 2:1; Lines 72 – 74) Brutus shows himself here as a determined person. He wants to kill Caesar so it appears that he didn’t kill him in hate but in love for the country. As an determined person, Brutus makes this sound easy but later on when they do kill Caesar he will find out that it wasn’t so nice because it looked like a cruel and bloody murder. Honor and determination motivates Brutus into killing Caesar for the good of Rome.

Brutus doesn’t want Caesar’s death to be so horrible but because Caesar is gaining power and is becoming dangerous, Brutus must kill the snake while in its shell. “[Aside] That every like is not the same, O Caesar! The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon.” (Brutus; Act 2:2; Lines 127 – 128) This quote was said when the conspirators came to fetch Caesar to the Senate. Caesar invites them in to have some wine and he says they’re “And we, like friends, will straightway go together.” (Caesar; Act 2:2; Line 126) This shows that Brutus doesn’t want to have Caesar kill but that must happen. Brutus’ honor and loyalty towards Caesar creates him to feel guilty to know that he is going to kill one of his best friends. The mood he gives in this quotes is the feeling of sadness because you can actually feel and see here that he is feeling guilty. In the meantime he knows that it is for the Romans. “Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood up to the elbows and besmear our swords: Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry, ‘Peace, Freedom, and Liberty’” (Brutus; Act 3:1; Lines 105 – 110) When Brutus says this it justifies that the act upon Caesar was an honorable one. That all Romans (mainly the conspirators, to tie them up together) will bathe their hands in the blood to show to everyone that what they did was for Rome and that Tyranny is dead. Honor makes certain people behave in certain ways. Brutus’ honor motivated him to kill Caesar so that he wouldn’t die a slave but an honorable and noble person.

Brutus’ downfall has chains of events that happened to it. These events were caused because of his determination to do what is right. ”By your pardon: I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar’s death. When Antony shall speak, I will protest he speaks by leave and permission: And that we are contented Caesar shall have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong.” (Brutus; Act 3:1; Lines 235 – 242) Brutus thought that talking first would get the crowd to get on his side. But as it turns out people with better justification and evidence will win the war. Mark Antony does this by getting the crowd to go against Brutus by being ironic. The quote is ironic to the whole acts after Act 3 because it says “It shall advantage more than do us wrong.” (Brutus; Act 3:1; Lines 242) but it does do them wrong. The determination that Brutus had took over him and thus he was out smarted by Antony. “Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: The enemy increaseth every day; We, at the height, are ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when is serves, Or lose our ventures.” (Brutus; Act 4:3; Lines 213 – 223) Here it happens to be that Brutus’ determination was right. He cut off Cassius just to say this out. Brutus followed his plan and led to victory over Octavious’ army. Cassius probably didn’t and that might be why he lost against Mark Antony. Brutus’ determination caused a lot of damage because if it weren’t for that they probably would have not had a war but look like butchers instead.

Throughout the lead of honorable Marcus Brutus, the conspirators were successful for some time. As we have seen in the book most motivators like honor can be positive and some like determination can be negative. Brutus’ honor and determination led him and his team to success for Rome. In the end Brutus does achieve his goal but sadly enough Mark Antony took over the situation and turned it against Brutus. Brutus achieved his goal because he freed his country from any slavery and soon died honorably. I believe that the cause that Brutus set out for was worthy and noble because not that many people would kill a high politician for the good of their country. If Brutus hadn’t done this, the country would probably be more different than it is now. As and honorable and determined person Brutus achieved his goal and then committed suicide.