In his thirty-seven plays, Shakespeare created a vast array of realistic characters who are fascinating to modern playgoers as they were to patrons of the Globe. Brutus, "the noblest Roman of them all," is one of Shakespeare's most memorable creations.

Shakespeare develops the character of Marcus Brutus through contrast; that is, he endows Brutus with a personality that contrasts sharply with the personalities of Cassius and Antony. Early in the play Brutus emerges as an idealist, willing to murder his friend only because he is convinced that Caesar's death will benefit the Roman people. Throughout the play, Brutus will act accordingly to his ideals of what ought to be. In Brutus idealism is both a strength and a weakness, for it prevents him from seeing people and events as they really are.