"Honorable Man" Poem and Analysis

"How can success be measured in a man
By the net worth of his fortune?
By the possesions he displays?
By the vastness of the land he owns or
by the notoriety he's achieved through great deeds
if only to satisfy his own ego or greed.

If I could choose something to make me successful
it would be, to be thought of as an honest man,
a caring partner and father, and at the end
to have but one good friend and a loving family
who will mourn my passing and remember me
not as great, wealthy, or notable, but as an honorable man." ~Author Unknown


Analysis:
This poem relates to the play of Julius Caesar in regard to Cassius, Brutus, and Caesar. This poem truly defines Brutus and his intentions. He wanted no fame, no notoriety, no money from the murder of Caesar. He just wanted the peace of mind that Ceasar could not be king, and therefore Rome would be better off. Cassius tries to be an honorable person but shows flaws in his character at times. He uses the example of saving Caesar to convince others of his honorable intentions too. In comparison to Brutus, though, Cassius is much more hungry for attention. I do not believe he would have tried so hard to be of honorable character if he didn't have an audience. Caesar is the least honorable. This poem contradicts his character and describes what he was not. Like Cassuis, Caesar wanted awards and notoriety for his good deeds. He did everything for the good of himself and he wanted to be "great."

~Chuckette Norris

Alternate Ending

Personally I don't like the ending of Julius Caesar. I don't like that it's so somber. I think that Antony should be excited that he won the battle. He managed to avenge Caesar; he should be jumping up and down screaming, "I won!" He should be celebrating his triumph. We just had this epic battle scene, this saddness doesn't seem to fit into the plot. I know the way I say it makes it sound a little silly (and not very Antony) but I'm serious.

-Maya Wills

Similies

Brutus is like a two-faced friend, your trusted ally one second, and an enemy the next.

Antony is like a pet who has lost its owner, bitter that Caesar is gone.

Lucious is like an loyal, innocent dog, following its master without great reason.

Portia is like a anxious child, worrying and depressed about her parents being gone, so she takes matters into her own hands.

-Perry the Platypus

ACT IV Analysis

Cassius
That you have wronged me doth apear in this:
You have condemned and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
Because I knew the man, were slighted off

Brutus
You wronged yourself to write in such a case

Cassius
In such a time as this is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment

Brutus
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell adn mart your offices for gold
To undeservers

TRANSLATION:
Cassius
You have wronged me in this way,
you have comdemned Lucius Pella
for being bribed
and then you ignored the letters i sent
which stated i would speak on the mans behalf

Brutus
It was incorrect for you to side with such a man

Cassius
We are not in such a predicament
That we have to punish every citizen

Brutus
I know some things about you
and you are known to be greedy
even so much that you would sell offices
to people who have not earned them


ANALYSIS:
In this scene, Brutus is confronting Cassius over the rumors and the actions Cassius has taken in soiling the purity of Rome. Brutus, even after having assassinated Caesar wants for the effort to have ended in a purification of Rome. He, in his honor, wants for all the men in power to be honroable men as well. This was his reason for killing Caesar, and this is still his reason as he attempts to reconstruct a new government. This scene shows that Brutus has not faltered in his ideals at all, in that he still expects all the men in Rome to have high moral standing and to act honorably. Cassius on the other hand is obviously acting without honor, in his illegal and black market dealings. He therefore had to be reprehended.

Mark Antony and Honor: A Quote

Friends, Romans, countrymen, listen to me. I have come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. I know that the evil that men do lives after them. The noble Brutus has told you Caesar was ambitious. If this were so, it was Caesar's fault. Here Brutus and the rest-- For Brutus is an honourable man...So are they all, all honourable men --they gave me permission to come and speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and kind to me, but Brutus says he was ambitious. And Brutus is an honourable man. He brought many captives home to Rome who gave us money in the end. Is this ambitious? When the poor cried, Caesar wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff and yet Brutus says he was ambitious. And Brutus is an honourable man. You all saw that on LupercalI thrice I presented him with a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious. And, sure, he is an honourable man. The quote above comes from the character Mark Antony. This is his speech at Caesar's funeral. In this speech Mark Antony uses the word Honorable in such a way that it makes the people think about whether or not these people were really honorable. This speech sways the people out of the conspirators' favor. This speech and the way that Mark Antony crafts his words causes the people to riot against the conspirators. By using the word honorable in his speech at first it seems that Antony isn't trying to change the people's minds but then, as the speech progresses, the way he uses honorable and his tone changes. This is how this quote relates to honor and is important to the play. -Maya Wills

"Honor to Us All" Mulan vs Julius Caesar

Honor is present in this song when it talks about a girl bringing "honor to us all". The narrator sings about qualities that her subject will possess in order to be honorable. This includes getting her to act more proper. It means finding a man and having children. She will be a perfect human being and idolized by all. She'll have serenity, balance, and beauty. By proudly showing it, she will succeed. By not failing, she'll bring "honor to us all." This relates to Julius Caesar because honor is a recurring theme. Brutus is a very honorable character. Many people look up to him, as do the people who look up to Mulan in the song. He is a poised and polite leader. Both characters are honorable and make others feel good to be in their presence. http://http//www.fpx.de/fp/Disney/Lyrics/Mulan.html ~Chuckette Norris