Contrast Of Mark Antony And Marcus Brutus

For Julius Ceasar Essay, Research Paper

How does one begin to divide the thin line between right and wrong or good and evil? Such a question may be considered an act of utter futility, as there can be no stable line between the winners and the losers n’or the good and the evil, as such a line must be drawn by one’s specific morality. Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar helped to prefectly illustrate how at times there may be no winner or loser, rather, often times when two individuals follow their beliefs until death greets them, the two are deemed winners. Indications of trust which led to Brutus’ death would not have been followed by Mark Antony, however Brutus was a man who could never show distrust to his comrads, even with his life at stake. When morality draws the line between winner and loser, to win, one needs to follow morals, while the losers are only those weak enough to be comprimised.

At a quick glance it would appear that Mark Antony was definitely better than Marcus Brutus. He avenged the death of Caesar, thwarting Brutus’s plans, and in the end of the battle, he emerged as the new leader of Rome. Antony had the ability to speak well and take charge when in danger, he was also very strong physically as well as athletic. ” I am not gamesome : I do lack some part of that quick spirit that is Antony. ( Act 1 , Scene 2 lines 28 -29 ) . However , further interpretation proved that Antony was not an all together better person . In order to avenge Caesar”s death he lied to the conspirators and to the citizens of Rome. He was correct in saying that most of the conspirators were driven by jealousy, but Antony did not do anything for the good of Rome, he merely fought sadness. Those who believe in honor inlife would not approve of Antony, as his vengence showed weak will and poor judgement. Those who viewed victory as a survival of the fittest would applaud the underhanded techniques of such a man.

Looking distantly at Marcus Brutus one may say that he was not an overall good person. He often made decisions that caused trouble, {”Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have ruled. (Act 5, Scene 1, lines 45-47)} and he killed his best friend Caesar show8ing him to be a little brutal. His wife Portia killed herself because Brutus could not put her in front of the needs of Rome. Furthermore, Brutus killed himself during a time that he was very mentally weak and unstable which showed he was incapable of helping everyone he wanted to. However, again, if one took the time to look deeper into Brutus’s personality it would sow him to be a very strong person. Everything Brutus did, was done out of honor for both he and Rome. His mistakes were not mistakes in his eyes, because morally he was right. Caesar and Portia died because Brutus’s love for Rome was incredibly strong. As a consequence of this love Brutus had to make many sacrifices, the greatest of which was his life. He sacrificed the wonderful life he had for Rome, but however painful his sacrifices may have been they yielded a man of honor and virtue.

This was the noblest Roman of them all:

All the conspirators, save only he,

Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;

He only, in a general honest thought

And common good to all, made one of them. (Act 5, Scene 5, lines 68-72)

So who should be named the better of these two Romans? The answer lies in the perspective the reader has of life. Antony’s spontaneous and anger wrenched behavior may be considered admirable by some, because he was driven by a passion that everyone needs to survive. When Antony saw Caesar’s dead body he immediately wanted to avenge this death at whatever cost. Antony’s love for Rome paralleled Brutus’s love for Rome so he put his well being behind the revenge he felt Caesar needed.

Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war;

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth

With Carrion men, groaning for burial. (Act 3, Scene 1, lines 273-275)

Another perspective taken may be the person who is amazed by Brutus’s sacrifices. Honor does not often yield a material object so often people lose sight of their goal to be honorable, however Brutus continued to be honorable throughout the play, not letting anger misguide his judgement. Those who wish to gain a strong will could look to Brutus as an example of unending determination.

Death comes to all, with no prejudice, yet how one gets there determines who one is. Antony and Brutus followed two different paths, but they both emerged strong men who could handle any suffering an afterlife may have brought them. However, if one let go of the Bible and read a page from the book of Epicurus, one would then question man’s existence. Man’s existence could be a total error and it is possible that God does not exist, so why not live every moment not as if it were your last, but with passion and happiness. “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. (Act 2, Scene 2, lines 32-33) Antony listened only to his passion, and the result was the birth of a tiny piece of heaven in a man’s mind where the only judge is himself.