Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy
of Julius Caesar.
BRUTUS. 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 crowned:
How that might change his nature, there's the
question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
And then I grant we put a sting in him
That at his will he may do danger with.
Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar,
I have not known when his affections swayed
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round..
How does the characterization of Caesar in this
passage connect to the central idea of the passage?
By reflecting on Caesar's position in society, Brutus
decides to report the conspiracy to Caesar and join
him on ambition's ladder.
When Brutus realizes the power that ambition
brings, he decides to kill Caesar and Cassius in
order to successfully climb the ladder.
Brutus decides to join the conspiracy against
Caesar because he fears that Caesar will become
ruthless once he climbs ambition's ladder and has
absolute power.
Brutus decides that he must cut the legs off from
the ladder to prevent Caesar and Cassius from
stepping on anyone along the way.