Inside Shakespeare’s mind:

Marcus Brutus: the noblest of them all

Ghosts appear to rule Shakespeare'smind as he saw to it that in most of his tragedies, a ghost plays a principal role and Julius Caesar is no different. Ghosts are a vital part when the plays gather momentum, to reach the end and bare the plots such as Caesar appear to Brutus to torment him, saying he will meet in Phillippi.

(Enter the Ghost of Caesar)

Brutus – ‘How ill this taper burns; Ha, who comes here?
I think, it is weakness of mine eyes. That shape this monstrous apparition.

It comes upon me; Art thou anything?

Art thou some God, some angel or some devil that mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare. Speak to me, what thou art?

‘This was the noblest Roman of them all’.

Ghost – Thy evil spirit, Brutus
B - Well, then I shall see thou again.
G – Ay, at Phillippi. Act. V, Sce. III

Synopsis

Written in 1599 and sited in Rome, near Sardis and near Phillippi, Julius Caesar and historically accurate, Shakespeare makes no mistake about it nor search short cuts to uplift his plays. It is a foregone conclusion that Bard uses apparitions, spirits, fairies, gnomes etc. apart from ghosts as gap-fillers revealing himself as a believer in the supernatural.

Brutus is visited by his friends, Cassius and Casca on a stormy and mysterious night. They contrive to conspire and absorb Brutus into the conspiracy. The three of them together plan the assassination of Caesar though Brutus in principle is against it as he values Caesar's friendship. But Brutus as other Roman Generals foresee the growing power of Caesar, finally agree to put an end to it.

Caesar is to go to the Capitol the following day which is the Ides of March. He had been warned not to go by the soothsayer which is the reason that Calpurnia, his wife tries to prevent him. The Senators are waiting for him at the Capitol. They are not sure of Caesar's ambitions but are afraid of his moves.

‘Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world. Like Colossus and we petty men, walk under his huge legs and peep about, To find ourselves dishonourable graves.’ ......

Act I, Sce. II

The tall, strapping and handsome Brutus very much in love with his wife, Portia but would not give ear to her pleas and not to get involved in the assassination. The play revolves around Brutus who takes command over all situations but not with the intention of hurting Caesar until Casca and Cassius plant the seed of hatred towards Caesar.

Portia who had been watching all this, implores upon Brutus to confide in her about his troubles.

Portia - ... Am I yourself, But as it were, in sort of limitation, To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed... and talk to you sometimes?...

ACT II, Sce. I

At the Capitol, Caesar is attacked and notes sadly that Brutus whom he loved so much is one of them. He turns around to address him ‘Et tu, Brute? I and dies.

Brutus’ death

Brutus along with Cassius flee to Rome to raise an army. When Brutus learns that Cassius and some of his friends have accepted bribes, he chides him for the act.

Cassius feels retentive and hurt by Brutus’ remarks and call upon him to put an end to his life. Brutus is touched by Cassius’ feelings and confess his own misery over Portia's suicide in Rome. Both forgive each other and plan to meet at Phillippi to fight the enemy.

Weary with mental fatigue, Brutus retires with his sleeping servant when the ghost of Caesar appear.

Cassius feels depressed while Brutus feels low in spirit and the two friends talk of death and defeat as though they have already lost the battle. Following which Cassius's troops are defeated by Anthony but Brutus’ army defeats Octavius.

Several miscalculations take place especially the day being his birthday in which he is doomed to die. He commands his friend Pindarus to hold the very weapon he used to kill Caesar, and Cassius kills himself before which he whispers –

‘This day I breathed first, time is come around and where I did begin.

There shall I end. My life is run his compass’ ACT V, Sce. III

The triumphant Brutus returns to give the good news to Cassius that he has overthrown Octavius's without being aware that his friend, Cassius is dead.

He vows revenge and declares, ‘Friends, I owe more tears to this dead friend than you shall ever see me pay. Heart-broken and dejected, Brutus collects his army to continue the battle but loses. From the few soldiers left, he begs from each of them to kill him but they all refuse.

He asks them all to flee and bid them farewell. Strato, his servant who remains with him and on orders by Brutus holds the sword on which Brutus kills himself.

Anthony who comes at the very moment and finds Brutus dead, pardon all his followers and pays tribute to the Roman General who loved Caesar realising what he did was for the sake of his country and not for personal gain.

In performance

One of the most compelling and great character that all thespians clamoured to portray both on stage and screen. It started with John Kemble acting Brutus from 1812-1817 at Covent Garden.

In New York, Edwin Booth was Brutus. Orsen Welles acted Brutus 157 in New York and in 1864 Edwin Booth was Brutus. In the BBC television play, Richard Pasco was Brutus in 1978.