Et Tu Brute? -You Too Brutus? – What More To Forgiveness

Whenever the death of Julius Caesar is mentioned , the name ‘ Marcus Brutus’ does not escape reflective and conscious intellection. How important it is that even Shakespare in one of his work, deserved it with a rich trove of detail.

The name sound with high pitch and makes distinction in the evil history not because he Brutus himself struck Julius Caesar to death or even that he played a role as important as that of Decimius who controlled a troupe of gladiators, which played a key role on the Ides – but because he is the son of Caesar’s ex-mistress.

Before I inaugurate the lesson I wish to inveigle on the path of this history, let me mention that Julius Caesar was the most famous and controversial man in Rome. He  was a political star and great writer who excelled as well in the military. When his enemies, the old guard in the senate removed him from command , Caesar invaded Italy. He went on a total victory in a civil war (49 – 45BC) that ranged across the Mediterranean. His challenge now was to reconcile his surviving enemies and to convince staunch Republicans to accept his power as a dictator. It was this daunting task that ushered him to his end.

Interestingly, in the civil war between Caesar and the Roman General, Pompey (49 – 45BC), Brutus and Cassius( one of the plotters of Caesar’s assassination) both supported Pompey and then later changed sides when Caesar won the war.

When should you keep an enemy as an enemy or embrace a former enemy as a new friend?  The purpose of this article is crystalized in this important question. Many times when we forgive people, we simultaneously reconcile them back to  their former positions in our lives without considering what sparked the rivalry in the first place.

Brutus recoiled at the thought of kneeling in awe before someone whom he does not consider to be superior to him. The main reason in fact that made him took side with Gen. Pompey against Caesar his father(as we believe)  was because he never wanted Caesar to become a King. Despite the fact that Brutus fought against Caesar, Caesar forgave him and supported him for a position as a Praetor, which was a stepping stone to consulship. Despite this gesture, Brutus still went ahead and planned the assassination of Caesar.

In conflict resolution, there is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. While you forgive someone who has wronged you, sometimes reconciling with the person is not important- especially in cases where ENVY was the first cause of the quarrel.

If indeed Caesar did say a word to Brutus during his final minutes of time, one could only imagine a deep tranquility of shaded solitude that enveloped him and the alluring fate which stood palpable in each of his expressions. ‘You too, Brutus?’ . He probably added, ‘my warmth heart of forgiveness towards you has dwarfed my very own life to insignificance’ Oh Brutus! What Betrayal! -Learn about more  forgiveness  oh Caesar!- I say.

So my Caesar, if you have a conflict with a friend and it bothers on ENVY, be careful enough to understand that no matter the peace made, a Brutus who didn’t want you as King yesterday is only waiting to remove you from your position of Kingship.

Resolve your conflict and make peace , but work out reconciliation dispassionately and logically. The heart of man is desperately wicked

David Antia

Author of ‘You And Others’