Plutarch’s attitude toward Brutus In The Life of Brutus is generally admiring and critical.
He portrays Brutus as:
- Honorable and virtuous — Plutarch emphasizes Brutus’s commitment to Rome and his republican ideals.
- Patriotic- Brutus believes that removing Caesar is necessary to protect the Roman Republic.
- Serious and Thoughtful—He is presented as a man who carefully considers his actions rather than acting purely out of personal hatred.
- Flawed and somewhat naive — Plutarch also shows that Brutus makes poor political judgments and struggles to understand the consequences of his decisions.
Overall, Plutarch seems to respect Brutus’s character and intentions while criticizing his political decisions and judgment. He presents Brutus as a tragic figure whose desire to serve Rome ultimately contributes to his downfall.
