John Armellino

ERH 422W 01

COL Miller

10/17/16

Short Paper on Julius Caesar

Brutus’ eulogy for Julius Caesar was more of a justification for his actions than anything else. One can tell that Brutus wishes to maintain both his honor and Caesar’s, making him out to be a reluctant killer. Brutus presented himself to be a sympathetic figure with nothing but the best of intentions for Rome and her people. He addresses them as “Romans, countrymen, and lovers.” (III. II. 13.) This speech, although it defended Brutus’ part in the conspiracy to murder Caesar, also did well to defend Caesar’s character. It is a difficult thing to do, to justify the killing an individual while also praising the character of that individual. But, Brutus provides the best reason, the only reason that one should kill for, freedom. “Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” (III. II. 22-24.) He compares living under Caesar’s inevitable rule to slavery and death, while a world without Caesar is full of life and freedom. Brutus essentially gave his audience no choice but to believe that killing Julius Caesar was the right thing to do.

In his speech, Brutus even asks the audience, dares them to speak up in objection. He calls such people who would speak against him “so vile that will not love his country.” (III. II. 31-32) Brutus subtly praises his own actions as noble and for the good of Rome, while he shames anyone who would disagree with him. When I say subtly, I mean that he is subtly praising himself. Although the speech is anything but subtle, Brutus does not directly say that he is acting out of nobility, only that those who disagree with him are not noble and do not have Rome’s best interests at heart.

What is interesting though is that Brutus does heap praise onto Caesar while explaining the necessity of his death. He calls Caesar “valiant,” “fortunate,” and “ambitious.” (III. II. 25-26) By singing the praises of Caesar, Brutus sways the crowd. When you compliment someone, people tend to associate those compliments with you. Even though you said them about someone else, it was you that said them. The crowd began to understand that it was not easy for Brutus to make this decision, and that it must have been difficult to kill someone so loved. Brutus is known for his honor. For him to kill Caesar means that he must have had good reason. His speech does a wonderful job of conveying the importance of the freedom of the Roman people.