Final answer:
Brutus in 'Julius Caesar' by Shakespeare is characterized by his conflict between loyalty to Caesar and his duty to Rome, which is resolved when he joins the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar to protect the Republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Brutus faces a profound ethical dilemma, torn between his love for Caesar and his duty to Rome.
Brutus's allegiance to Caesar is challenged by his belief that Caesar's rise to power would harm the democracy of Rome, a sentiment encapsulated when he says, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more" (Shakespeare, Act 3, Scene 2).
Brutus's internal struggle is evident as he grapples with the idea that the assassination of his friend might be necessary to safeguard the Republic, contrasting his own moral integrity with the necessity of a distasteful act for what he perceives as the greater good.
This conflict is resolved when Brutus decides to join the conspirators in the act of regicide, a decision that drives the plot forward and leads to the ultimate downfall of both Caesar and Brutus himself. The resolution of Brutus's conflict is portrayed in his participation in Caesar's assassination
Despite his resolution, the tragic outcome reflects the complexity of Brutus's situation. His internal conflict, along with the act's repercussions, symbolizes the broader theme of the struggle between personal loyalty and public duty, a central conflict in the play that contributes to its enduring analysis of power and morality.