Why was Marcus Brutus honorable?

Answer 1

Brutus honestly believed he was doing nothing but what was the best for Rome. He puts Rome above his loyalty to Caesar. "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more" (Act 3, scene 2, 23-24)

Brutus is a well loved and worthy Roman. "Oh, he sits high in all the people's hearts" (Act 1, Scene 3, 157). This quote is said by Casca which makes us truly appreciate Brutus as Casca is not easily impressed.

Brutus k"ills himself at the end of the play as he believes it is his punishment for the Horror he has brought upon Rome. He realises his mistakes. This leads Antony to call him "The noblest Roman of them all

Answer 2

The answer to this question can only be a subjective one. Brutus was not an honorable man for the following reasons:

A. He joined the plot to assassinate the man he was sworn to protect;

B. Julius Caesar had pardoned him after the defeat of Pompey;

C. The "republic" he sought to revive was a republic controlled by the Senate;

D. He did the empire a grave disservice by not planning for a new Roman government after Caesar.

D1. IF Caesar had died in the Parthian campaign, he put forth no plan which he could even show to Julius Caesar, about what to do if Caesar was killed in battle with the Parthians;

E. He sought to destroy two loyal Romans: Antony and Octavian; and

F. He was very short sighted regarding the history of Rome. Rome had survived despite awesome obstacles during its time. Surely it would survive even a Julius Caesar.

For these reasons I say Brutus was not an honorable man.