Question

BRUTUS. Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius.

Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep.

Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,

My heart doth joy that yet in all my life

I found no man but he was true to me.

I shall have glory by this losing day,

More than Octavius and Mark Antony

By this vile conquest shall attain unto.

So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongue

Hath almost ended his life’s history.

Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,

That have but laboured to attain this hour.

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,
William Shakespeare

Which piece of evidence best supports the theme that there is honor in defeat?

“Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius.”
“Countrymen, / My heart doth joy that yet in all my life / I found no man but he was true to me.”
“I shall have glory by this losing day, / More than Octavius and Mark Antony”
“So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongue / Hath almost ended his life’s history.”

Answer 1

The piece of evidence that best supports the theme that there is honor in defeat is:

“I shall have glory by this losing day, / More than Octavius and Mark Antony.”

This line expresses Brutus's belief that even in defeat, there is a sense of honor and nobility in his actions and choices. He suggests that the honor he gains from standing up for his principles and the values he represents outweighs the outcome of the battle, emphasizing that true glory can be found even in loss.