Loyalty of Antony and Brutus in Julius Caesar :: William Shakespeare

The Loyalties of Antony and Brutus Antony and Brutus are both loyal, noble men and their loyalties shape their characters, drives their actions, and decides the very future of Rome. Brutus loves Caesar, but he loves Rome more. Antony has no need to choose between his country and best friend. Before Caesar's death both men are guarded and somewhat a secret to the reader. After Caesar's murder, however, their true personalities emerge. Antony and Brutus may seem the same, and that was they are in theory, from their positions, character traits, to the very friend's they keep they are alike almost to a point of absurdity. In practice, though, you will find them rather different due to the mistakes and decisions made by both parties. Was Julius Caesar truly ambitious? For if he wasn?t, then Brutus betrayed a man he loved in vain. He held that he was saving Rome form a tyrant when he plunged the knife into Caesar?s back, literally. It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question. ???????????????.. And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason (II.i.10-21). Brutus used his knowledge of Caesar to convince himself that it was the right choice he was making. He knew that the power would go to his friend?s head eclipsing his reason and putting his beloved Rome into the hands of a tyrant. Brutus had a choice to make, Rome or Caesar? In the end, his loyalty to Rome exceeded his faithfulness to his close friend. Which poses the question, if Antony truly believed that Caesar would be a horrible dictator, would he have joined the conspirators? From his actions and behavior in the play, he probably would have stood by his friend. When he says, "I shall remember. When Caesar says, ?do this,? it is performed" (I. i. 10-11 ). This sentence proves his devotion to Caesar, for if he did not love him he would not do his bidding with such enthusiasm. It is not inaccurate to say he most definitely would not join the conspirators. Another question is, if Brutus did not truly believe that Caesar was ambitious, would he have joined in plotting his death?