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An analysis of julius caesar as a tragedy
Examine Julius Caesar as a tragedy
Examine Julius Caesar as a tragedy
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Brutus is classified as the tragic hero of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare because he is blinded by single-minded focus on personal ethics that combined with a tragic flaw dooms him to make a serious error in judgment; however, he himself maintains his morals and his spirit lives on. Brutus’s relentless determination for the greater good of Rome contributes to his identification as the tragic hero. Even though Brutus is not a good judge of character, all of Brutus’ actions are intended for benefit others. He truly believed that if the conspirators “motives” are pure —as he was “sure they” were—they “bear fire enough” to sustain unwavering loyalty for the cause without need for an oath (2.1.127-132). Brutus articulates this to maintain the integrity of the act for both the conspirators, and the audience. For the audience, this statement enhances the play with the use of verbal irony because they are already aware that not all of the conspirators are murdering Caesar for Rome’s best interest; rather, for their best interests. From this statement, Brutus can be characterized as apprehensive about joining the conspiracy yet still honorable. He can be seen as apprehensive because he feels the need to orate why the conspirators are slaying Caesar. It is said so repetitively that it sounds like he is still convincing himself of the righteousness of the act; however, this lends to his characterization as being honorable. Because Brutus goes through so much deliberation, it is revealed to the audience that Brutus is slaying Caesar not for personal motives: but for the good of Rome. The tragic flaw of naivety dooms Brutus to make a tragic error in judgment. He only joins the conspiracy because he is manipulated by C... ... middle of paper ... ...ng him or returning him to Rome in chains. Even his enemies, Antony and Octavius, recognize this after his suicide. Over his dead body, Antony declares that “this was the noblest Roman of them all” and he killed Caesar only for the “common good” therefore Octavius rests declaring Brutus is deserving to the “rites of burial” so that his spirit shall be treated with “respect” (5.5.74-82). Brutus was so heroic even his enemies recognized it with his death because he was tragically manipulated by Cassius. He was a hero that fell out of favor yet never lost his morals and feeling of duty to the people. Because of this, his spirit will live on. Forever. Brutus maintains his integrity even in death and with integrity is how he is maintained. Although Rome is restored after his death, the balance and order come at an especially high price: the sacrifice of a tragic hero.
His tragic flaw is that he trusts people too much and is easily manipulated. The real reason for him joining the conspiracy was because he “loved Caesar but loved Rome more. Marcus Brutus joins the conspiracy because he thought that he is preventing Caesar’s tyranny. He also thinks that by joining the conspiracy he is saving the people of Rome. He also trusts . After entering the conspiracy, he became responsible for Caesar’s death, which led to a civil war, which led to Brutus’s death. Brutus’ downfall is caused by his tragic
Brutus exclaims that the masses are worth more than an individual, that individual who is Caesar. In spite of those beliefs, Cassius offers him salvation. Cassius entices Brutus with the notion of a false faith, the end to his suffering with be at the end of Caesar's life. A dream which Brutus gladly fights when he utters, “ Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Cassius. And in spite of the men, there is no blood”(2.1.173-175). Brutus offers insight into his notion of worth, he will kill for a righteous deed, an honorable action, but not slay wantonly. Brutus is a true martyr for a deceptive plan, when he says, “I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death”(3.2.41-43). A person of high moral values, an individual who strive to accomplish his ambition, Brutus was the most honorable Roman. However, many would view
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (3.2.24) This quote reflects the motive of Brutus for the assassination of his friend, Caesar. I believe Brutus killed him not out of disrespect, but in a selfless act to protect Rome from the decree of Caesar yet to come. I also believe that he did this out of force from the manipulation from his “friend” Cassius. In Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar”, Brutus’ two most significant characteristics are virtue and unconscious hypocrisy. In order to fully understand these characteristics, it is necessary to analyze all other contributing characteristics, the manipulation of friendship that Cassius uses against him, and the motivations for
...ymen, my heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me” (996). Because of his downfall, the punishment no one deserves, and his enlightenment the audience is meant to pity him and feel sympathy for him, for the writer will be effective in receiving the audience’s grief when a character faces trial the audience could not bear to think of such scenario. Brutus is a sympathetic character who is worthy of pity.
As a “speculative man of high motives and refined sensibility”(Catherine C. Dominic) Brutus does have his confusion of motives. Act I, scene ii, is the first we see his weakness, “his concern with reputation and appearance, his subtle vanity and pride”(Gayle Green). Yet the main bases of Brutus’s bewilderment of motives takes place in Act II, scene I, with his famous soliloquy beginning with “It must be by his death”. This speech may be the turning point in which Brutus feels better about the assassination of his once called friend.
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
The second reason why Brutus should not be a tragic hero is because he has a tragic flaw and this flaw leads to his ultimate downfall. The tragic Flaw for Brutus is his idealistic view of the world. He contracts this view about Caesar after Cassius persuades him by saying that Caesar will be a tyrant. Because of this, Brutus joins the conspirators and kills Caesar. This shows that Brutus, like other tragic heroes uses his tragic flaw and thus will cause his eventual defeat. Later in the play Brutus directs, as any ideological man would, to charge rather than wait for the enemy to attack. This is an excellent exemplar of the Brutus’s tragic flaw since Brutus did this so that he would not lose support in Rome.
Brutus was a devious man, even though what he thought he was doing was right. Brutus told his fellow conspirators to kill Caesar “boldly, but not angerly.”(3.1.256-257) Brutus was one of Caesars right hand men, and yet Brutus kills his own friend. When Antony asks to speak at Caesars funeral, Cassius says no, but Brutus tell him that Antony will speak, but only what Brutus tells him to say. Brutus also embraces the fact that he just killed his friend, and also tells the senators who had just witnessed it to not be afraid, but to stay because ambition has paid its debt.
A tragic hero is defined as a person of high social rank, who has a tragic flaw or flaws that lead to their downfall. These heroes’ downfalls are usually either complete ruin or death. Tragic heroes face their downfall with courage and dignity. While many characters in Julius Caesar could fit these conditions, the person who fits the role of a tragic hero the best is Marcus Brutus. Brutus develops into a tragic hero throughout the play, and this is shown though his qualifications of a tragic hero, his high status, his tragic flaws, and his courage in the face of his death.
In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Marcus Junius Brutus, as the main character, develops extensively as a character throughout the play. From where he is first introduced to us until his last words, Brutus is shown consistently as a well-meaning individual who acts in what he believes is the best way possible. However, due to the role he plays in the assassination of Julius Caesar and the events surrounding it, Brutus is shown to have a changing personality although the core principles he is guided by remain sturdy. At the beginning of Julius Caesar, Brutus is framed as a loyal and honorable person, whose loyalty lies first and foremost with the citizens and city of Rome. As a consequence of this, Brutus is also able to be manipulated easily to do otherwise undesirable actions if the manipulator can persuade Brutus that his actions are for the good of Rome and his citizens.
Brutus: A Tragic Hero The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare depicts a tragic hero, or one who has high standing and causes his own downfall. The tragic hero is Brutus, and he makes multiple and ultimately fatal mistakes that lead to his enlightenment and then his death. Brutus’ death is the result of many misfortunes, including being herded into the conspiracy and thus aiding in the death of Caesar, hearing of the death of his loyal wife, and waging a war against Rome. Brutus’ negative characteristics are his flawed reasoning and bad judgment. While still planning Caesar’s murder, Cicero’s name is brought up and it is suggested that he be included in the conspiracy.
Throughout many of Shakespeare's plays, a tragic hero is identified; a heroic figure that possesses a character flaw that leads to his defeat. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, there has been controversies over who is actually the tragic hero. Many people agree that Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero. However, others argue and identify Julius Caesar as the tragic hero. After examining these two characters, a conclusion is easily drawn. Brutus is the tragic hero of this play because when a person who possesses such heroic qualities dies, it is a true tragedy.
Shakespeare’s complex play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar contains several tragic heroes; a tragic hero holds high political or social esteem yet possesses an obvious character flaw. This discernible hubris undoubtedly causes the character’s demise or a severe forfeiture, which forces the character to undergo an unfeigned moment of enlightenment and shear reconciliation. Brutus, one of these tragic heroes, is a devout friend of the great Julius Caesar, that is, until he makes many execrable decisions he will soon regret; he becomes involved in a plot to kill the omniscient ruler of Rome during 44 B.C. After committing the crime, Mark Antony, an avid, passionate follower of Caesar, is left alive under Brutus’s orders to take his revenge on the villains who killed his beloved Caesar. After Antony turns a rioting Rome on him and wages war against him and the conspirators, Brutus falls by his own hand, turning the very sword he slaughtered Caesar with against himself. Brutus is unquestionably the tragic hero in this play because he has an innumerable amount of character flaws, he falls because of these flaws, and then comes to grips with them as he bleeds on the planes of Philippi.
An honorable man and one respected among the common folk of his country. However, Brutus is plagued with decisions many are not forced to make. His best friend is a threat to the country he loves, leaving him lost and susceptible to the influence of those whom he should never trust. While Brutus is unsure of what he must do at first he is easily convinced by the sly works of Cassius who is given too much trust from Brutus. Brutus’ flaws are what can define him as a tragic hero. He gives too much. Trust, service, and allegiance are all a part of his tragic flaw. Always giving himself and his fate over to help Rome. His step brother uses his naive tendencies which become what ruins him in the ending. “What other bond than secret Romans that have spoke the word and will not palter?” (Wiggins DR-143) Brutus, again trusting all who he should not, trusting Romans just for being
Brutus’ tragic flaw was his perception that all men were identical to him in their motives. This factored allowed his decisions to be easily influenced by others whose motives were devious. Cassius was able to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy because Brutus thought the only reason behind the conspiracy was to prevent one man from becoming “Rex.” He allowed Antony’s speech to occur because he was sure that Antony was motivated by the same “honor” which motivated himself.