Marcus Brutus

Also known as: Brutus · Family: Roman · Role: nobleman · First appears: Julius Caesar · Act I, Scene II

As a Roman nobleman, Brutus is first shown as a friend of Caius Cassius and as beloved by Julius Caesar, whom he also loves. After Caius Cassius plans forged letters to turn him against Caesar’s ambition, Brutus resolves that Caesar must die for Rome: “It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general.” He recruits Caius Ligarius, directs Lucius, and promises his wife Portia that she will share the conspiracy’s secrets, calling her “my true and honourable wife.”

At the Capitol, Brutus delivers the final blow against Julius Caesar. He grants Mark Antony Caesar’s body and permission to speak at the funeral, but Mark Antony turns the citizens against Brutus and Caius Cassius, forcing them to flee Rome and raise an army. After Portia dies from grief over Brutus’s absence, Brutus reconciles with Caius Cassius and marches with him to Philippi, where Caesar’s ghost tells him they will meet again. He also commands Varro, Claudius, Lucilius, and Strato in his camp.

At Philippi, Brutus refuses to be taken captive and exchanges a final farewell with Caius Cassius. He defeats Octavius Caesar’s forces while Mark Antony defeats Caius Cassius’s legions, then orders Cassius’s body sent to Thassos. After Caesar’s ghost appears again, Brutus asks Volumnius and Strato for assistance and kills himself on his sword. Mark Antony calls him “the noblest Roman of them all,” and Octavius Caesar orders his remains buried honorably.