"But, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition."
2007-03-22 17:53:25 · 7 answers · asked by jjungpaint 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
" As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply."
So spoke Brutus as his rhetoric moved Romans from wanting to kill him for assassinating the popular Caesar, to honoring Brutus as defending Rome and Romans from a tyrant.
The meaning? One could say, that patriotism means not accepting personality cults; that freedom must be valued above friendship or personal sentiments. Or one could say, that OJ Simpson might not be the first murderer to get away with it because of swaying public opinion; that those who write history, win; that the mob is fickle, at best; that if you betray your best friend, deception of oneself and those who see you is both possible and necessary for survival.
Brutus' speech, and Antony's speeches following, which reverse again the mob's opinion - neither is devoid of self interest; as Antony says, when he sees how HIS rhetoric has moved the crowd and in the best expression of gleeful Trolls everywhere,
"Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!"
IMHO the great thing about Shakespeare, or any great drama or work, is the diverse interpretations which are legitimately possible...
2007-03-22 18:00:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Brutus loved all the attributes that Julius had. He granted him every good thing that he achieved and begrudged him nothing...except that fact that he was ambitious. It was Julius' ambition that Brutus despised because Brutus knew his own ambitions would not prevail over Julius'... and for that he slew him.
Julius was in his way.
.
2007-03-22 21:36:28 · answer #2 · answered by Costy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's from shakespeare, right? i think it was from brutus...
anyway, he was explaining in a way that caesar was too ambitious. true, they were supposedly friends. however, as the story goes, they feared that caesar was too ambitious and decided that he must be stopped before things got out of hand. the quote emphasizes that he shows compassion for caesar and all but he got what he deserved. just as he received glory for his good deeds, according to the speaker, caesar deserved death for being too ambitious.
the quote revolves around the assumption of the speaker though.
2007-03-22 18:50:46 · answer #3 · answered by changing_sky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he's justifying the reason why he killed him. Caesar had many appealing qualities (love, fortune, valor), and the murderer respected him for having them. But in the end, ambition is the reason for the murder.
2007-03-22 18:23:32 · answer #4 · answered by Brian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simply put, Caesar was a "good person" according to his good friend Brutus. But his [Caesar] personal ambition was a danger to Rome and Brutus put his country before his friend.
2007-03-22 18:27:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suppose ambition in that sense is a synonym for passionate greed, want, or desire.
2007-03-23 12:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by Answerer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I honor his quality as a human being. Unfortunately, I had to kill him because his ambition was a threat to my own."
2007-03-22 18:34:51 · answer #7 · answered by Iconoclast 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋