Brutus

Tragedy by Voltaire, performed 1730. The play revolves around the conflict experienced by Titus, who is torn between his love for Tullie (daughter of the tyrant Tarquin, recently expelled from Rome by his own father, Lucius Junius Brutus) and his commitment to the liberty of the young Republic. Finally ensnared by love, he joins the supporters of Tarquin conspiring for his return, but his treachery is discovered. The Senate leaves his fate to Brutus, who has him executed. The tragedy was published with an important preliminary discourse (dedicated to Bolingbroke) which helps to pinpoint Voltaire's feelings on tragedy after two years' intimate contact with English models.

— John Renwick