Group+25


 * Minimum Project Requirements: **
 * 5 **//__IN__//** __DEPTH __ discussions with opposing counsel via class network. These discussions must present not only relevant and specific facts from the play, but also from your historical research.
 * Preliminary Draft of Closing Statement entered in your class network. Draft must contain **//__at least 5 detailed paragraphs__//**: 1) Introductory paragraph outlining the overall theme of your case - thesis statement; 2) //at least// 3 paragraphs which include **//__detailed__//** supporting evidence for your case - 1 piece of evidence with explanation per paragraph; and 3) a closing paragraph which ties all the evidence together and solidifies your case.
 * Peer editing of opposing counsel's statement following guidelines to be provided; plus an additional peer revision of your choice.
 * Works Cited page containing **//__at__//** **//__least three __//****//__(3) sources __//**: 2 book sources for each electronic source.
 * Final Draft of Closing Statement, typed, double-spaced at a 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Please no decorative fonts – use something easy to read.
 * Oral recitation of your Closing Statement before the court. Be sure to use your voice as a persuasive tool to effectively deliver your statement. Suggestions for oral interpretation to be provided.


 * Remember that the above represent the minimum requirements for this project, the completion of which will earn you a minimum average grade of 70%. You can improve this grade by going above and beyond these minimum expectations. **

One way to increase your points will be to complete more than five discussion posts with your opposing counsel. To post a discussion, click the DISCUSSION tab above; click NEW POST, label the subject with a specific name, and then type and post your comment. To reply to a comment, simply click on the post heading, scroll to the bottom of the page, and then type and post your reply. Ideally, discussion topics will reflect either specific research sources or ideas learned from your research. You must cite all sources within your discussions so that your opposing counsel can verify your information.

** The Prosecution of Marcus Brutus **

The days of ancient are beginning to look up. But suddenly everything takes a turn for the worse. The life of Ancient Rome’s most legendary leader was tragically cut short by a man whose honor and integrity should be closely examined. His accomplices persuaded him very easily. Not only this, but the murder was done out of pure fear. No true facts were presented. But possibly most importantly, the life of a true hero was taken by a man who had no real concern for Rome, and only for himself. The subject may have its flaws and historical errors, but the end result remains conclusive. The supposedly honorable Brutus, under simple speculation, murdered the great Julius Caesar; and unjustifiable act. The following will help elaborate. Honor is staying true to not only yourself, but all of the people around you. Marcus Brutus has been known throughout history to be an honorable man for centuries. This can seem very true on the surface of the matter. Yet Brutus seems to want us all to believe this intentionally. In Shakespeare’s classic, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus States “For let the Gods so speed me, as I love the name of honor more then I fear death”.(I,ii,88-89) This quote is often interpreted in many different ways. But Brutus seems to be quick about addressing the issues that so many oppose upon him. He states that he loves honor and is not afraid of any one’s death. Irony and foreshadowing begins to take its toll. Again, in the Shakespeare classic, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Right as Brutus stabs and murders Caesar he shouts “Fly not; stand still; Ambitions debt has been paid!”(III,ii,83) How else to cover up a vicious crime then gilded words to please the crowd? This expresses Brutus’s shallow, dishonorable ways and even conveys some ambition of his own. At this point in the play he seems to be very fast with answering questions to the crowd of angry and confused Romans. There is no honor in simply stating what the people would like to hear. The evidence for Brutus’s honor is nowhere to be found. The argument can move forward with the idea that Brutus knew Caesar would be a tyrant and that it was necessary to kill Caesar. But Brutus and his fellow conspirators fail to present and true evidence that Caesar will be a tyrant. In Shakespeare Play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus states “But for the general good, He would be crowned, how that might change his nature, that is the question” (II,I,12-13)This quote explains that Brutus is questioning whether or not the crowning of Caesar would extremely change his already caring and respect ways of being the Leader of Rome. This shows no evidence at all of Caesar being a tyrant at the time. Brutus seems to be very unsure of himself on the subject. Much too uncertain to take such a drastic solution as murder. In Justin Marvin’s article, Marcus Brutus, it states “Around this time, many senators began to fear Caesar's growing power following his appointment as dictator for life. Brutus was persuaded into joining the conspiracy against Caesar by the other senators.” Brutus was persuaded very easily, as this quote states. And the conspirators that the quote mentions are motivated by simple fear. A man who is persuaded so easily by men who simply speculated the situation must not truly take the time to make sure judgments are accurate and valid. Rome deserved a man who would take their time to truly evaluate such issues, as Brutus failed to do. Yet as history tells us, Brutus was able to carry out this undeniably horrific act, due to the lack of thorough examination of the situation. It’s hard to look at our democratic system of government and deny that it shows much resemblance to the reforms that Caesar made to the Roman systems of government. Julius Caesar (July 100 BC– 15 March 44 BC) is often referred to as the greatest leader that Rome had ever been privileged to uphold. No one truly knows what he could have accomplished if he had been given his proper respect and honor. He was a man who was loved and appreciated by his people. Caesar may have been ambitious as all human beings are at some point in their lives, but he was able to justify this with all the blessings he bestowed upon ancient Rome. In John Boardmans ‘The Roman World’ it states “Caesar from the outset, and as it were by hereditary right, head of the popular party, had for 30 years borne aloft its banner without ever changing or even so much concealing its colors. He was the soul creative genius that was ever produced by Rome.”(Page 68) The quote speaks for its self, saying how Caesar had the right to be ruler of Rome by his heredity and that he never changed Rome for the worse, but only for the better. Caesar honor and enlightening ways truly shine through this statement. And even the man who moves on to kill him in his final years was cared for greatly by Caesar. In Michael Portenti’s novel ‘The Assassination of Julius Caesar’ it states “It is reported that Caesar was much concerned for Marcus Brutus’s safety at Pharsalus, issuing orders to his commanders that on no account must he be slain in the fighting”(Page:168). The quote expresses the great love Caesar had for his friend. And the only thing he received in return was a dagger to the heart. The Great Julius Caesar will always be remembered as the man of mystery in terms of what other great accomplishments he may have achieved. Brutus’s ambition paved the way to the Honorable Caesars death, without warning and without a cause. There’s no telling what Rome may have came to with Caesar at the throne. And with Brutus’s simple speculation of events that never came to pass, there is truly no justification. Although debating on what may have happened, what was done is the true issue. Brutus committed murder to his great friend selfishly and dishonorably. Just as Brutus had said that ambitions debt had been paid, many would argue that it would not be fully paid until Brutus had suffered the same fate. The evidence is clear and obvious as to where the credibly and trustworthiness of Brutus lies. Just like all murderers, speculators and dishonorable power monger’s, Marcus Brutus is guilty.


 * Post Defense Closing Statement Here:**

Courtney Osborne. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">11/16/11. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bell 5. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Defending.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The honorable Brutus killed the ambitious Caesar for the good of Rome. Caesar’s ambition got the best of him and he declared himself dictator for life to hurt Rome, more than do good. Just because Brutus and Caesar were friends, does not mean he has to stand and agree with Caesar on everything. Brutus was thinking about the rest of him country rather than specifically on their friendship. Ancient Rome was in critical need of a new ruler and Brutus ceased his opportunity; a sign of true honor.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Brutus is a very honorable man. He watched over his country and did exactly what he had to do to protect the people of it. In Act l, scene ii, lines 88-90, Brutus says, “For let the gods so speed me, as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.” Brutus is openly sharing that he is completely willing to die in the name of honor for his county; which is ironic because that is exactly what he ends up doing. Casca, "I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theater, I am no true man."(I, ii, 255-258) is explaining that by Caesar denying the crown three times is an act. Caesar felt like he HAD to let go of the crown, although he actually wanted to keep it. He would have accepted the crown the first time it was offered if the people would not have cheered so loudly for him. He believes that by denying the crown, the people of Rome will want him more as a king. Although, Casca and Brutus, both, see through his act. Act 3. Scene ii, lines 24-26, Brutus says, "As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him." Brutus loved Caesar and respected him. He would never try to backstab one of his very good friends, but yet at the same time, he could not let Caesar destroy Rome. Brutus killed Caesar for a reason and that was because he was ambitious.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Caesar was a difficult person to understand and decipher, but it was very easy to realize that his intentions were not for the good of Rome, rather for the good of himself. In Julius Caesar: The Boy Who Conquered an Empire by Ellen Galford, Brutus explains that "He began to act like a king instead of a servant of the republic. He presided over the senate sitting on a golden throne. His statues were placed in Rome's holiest temples, right next to the images of the god's themselves." (pg. 48) Caesar believed he was ranked higher than all the other people of Rome. In fact, ranked as high as a God would be. In Power Ambition Glory by Steve Forbes, Brutus explains the true underlying reason of Caesar’s death. "What destroyed Caesar in the end were not his assassin’s daggers, but rather his own weakness. He tried to wear two hats, or a hat and a crown, to be a popular reformer and the supreme ruler of the largest empire in the ancient world." (pg. 242) Caesar was weak in his own ways and extremely power hungry.. His own power made him weaker than he ever could have imagined possible.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Brutus understood the intensity and the consequences of complying with the other conspirators in this plot to kill Caesar. Not once did Brutus do anything to hurt Rome or the people of it. In The Ides: Caesar's Murder and the War for Rome by Stephen Dando Collins, "But Brutus thought it was impolitic to kill all three. Neither Antony nor Lepidus." (pg. 171) Brutus had the opportunity, to have killed Antony and Lepidus along with Caesar. But he knew that that was impolitic. He was very merciful with his decisions. Act V, scene I, lines 56-57, Brutus says, “Caesar, thou canst not die by traitor’s hands, unless thou bring’st them with thee.” Brutus is not a traitor of Rome, nor will he die by a traitor’s hands himself.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Honor was the urge behind all of his decisions to kill the ambitious Caesar. Brutus wanted to help Rome become better. Act V, scene iii, lines 101-102, Brutus says, “Friends, I owe more tears to this dead man than you shall see me pay.” He cares that his friend Cassius has died, but he must lead his army through it while in battle with Octavius to win Rome. Brutus was very honorable and his decisions were nothing but that.