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The tragic hero of Julius Caesar
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In literature, a tragic hero is often a character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that causes the character to fall. The flaw of the tragic hero cannot be ameliorated; they will have to live with that flaw for the rest of their lives. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus is the unique tragic hero. Considering his positive attributes, like being honorable and a leader, flaws as being easily persuaded and quixotic, and role in the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, as a conspirator and fallen hero, Brutus is a tragic hero.
To commence, Brutus’ positive attributes are being an honorable man and a leader. An honorable man, like Brutus, is honest, righteous, and principled. While speaking to Cassius, Brutus makes it known that he “[loves] the name of honor more than [he fears] death” (I.ii.88-89). He is not afraid to announce that he is an honorable man, and does things “[for] the general good” of Rome (I.ii.85). Brutus loves Rome, Caesar, and the people, but he cares more for Rome and its people. As a leader, he and others plan to kill Caesar. Brutus believes that “it must be by [Caesar’s] death”, for he is not killing Caesar for himself “but for the general” good of the people (II.i.10; II.i.12). Others, like Cassius, are killing Brutus for themselves. Brutus initiates a plan to kill Brutus; he is delegating and guiding the others. When the group wants to kill Mark Antony, he is able to persuade them not to. Brutus wants them to “be sacrificers, [not] butchers”, because killing Mark Antony is unnecessary (II.i.167). Brutus is also able to lead his men into battle. Nothing gets in his way, not even his wife’s or Cassius’ death. Brutus’ attributes break him, instead of making him. His character...
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...imself knowing he is not an honorable man. Brutus’ attributes, flaws, and role in the play, made him a tragic hero.
Works Cited
Bloom, Harold. “Julius Caesar in the Twentieth Century”. Julius Caesar: Bloom’s Shakespeare Through the Ages. New York: Chelsea House, 2007. Bloom’s Literary eBook Collection. Web. 28 April 2014.
Leetcher, Brian. “Julius Caesar in the Twentieth Century”. Julius Caesar: Bloom’s Shakespeare Through the Ages. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 2007. Bloom’s Literary eBook Collection. Web. 28 April 2014.
Padel, Ruth. “Diseases of Heroes”. Greek Drama Bloom’s Period Studies. Ed. Harold Bloom. Chelsea House, 2004. Bloom’s Literary eBook Collection. Web. 29 April 2014.
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar”. Literature Texas Treasure. Eds. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. et al. Vol. 5. Columbus: The McGraw-Hill, 2011. 693-787. Print.
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” Elements of Literature: Kylene Beers. Austin: Holt, 2009. 842-963. Print.
The Web. The Web. 25 Nov. 2013. http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/273442>. The "Julius Caesar."
Shakespeare, William. "The Death and Life of Julius Caesar." www.shakespeare.mit.edu. N.P., n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2016. ;.
In the play the Life and Death of Julius Caesar (just as in all of Shakespeare’s tragedies) there is much death, much tragedy, and of course, a tragic hero. However unlike most of Shakespeare’s plays this time the tragic hero is not particularly obvious. Throughout the play a few main characters present themselves as possibilities for being the tragic hero. But as being a tragic hero is not only having a tragic flaw but also entails much more, there really is only one person to fit the mold. The character Brutus is born into power and is higher/better then we are. He has a tragic flaw that causes his downfall and at the end he realizes his mistake (a trait none of the other characters can really claim).
The play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare showcases many characters and events that go through many significant changes. One particular character that went through unique changes was Julius Caesar. The 16th century work is a lengthy tragedy about the antagonists Brutus and Cassius fighting with the protagonists Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus over the murder of Julius Caesar. Although the play’s main pushing conflict was the murder of Julius Caesar, he is considered a secondary character, but a protagonist. Throughout the theatrical work Julius Caesar’s actions, alliances, character developments, and internal and external conflicts display his diverse changes.
Allen, Janet. "Julius Caesar." Holt McDougal Literature. Orlando, FL: Holt McDougal/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. N. pag. Print.
The defenition of a tragic hero a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy. This defenition is perpetuated most clearly by one of the major characters. This character is the noble roman Brutus. Brutus is the tragic hero because of the fact that he fulfills the requirements of a tragic hero. He is a person of noble bith. He does have a tragic flaw, he does come to some understanding, and he does finally meet his end due to his tragic flaw. The tragic flaw of Brutus is his idealistic view, which ultimately leads him directly and indirectly into his death.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. N.d. Print.
Brutus’ tragic flaws are part of what makes him a tragic hero. In Julius Caesar, Brutus is a great example of a tragic hero. His tragic flaws are honor, poor judgement, and idealism (Bedell). In Shakespeare’s plays, the tragic hero and his flaws cause the downfall of the play (Tragic Flaws).
In conclusion, Brutus is a tragic hero in this awe-inspiring play because he is burdened with countless character flaws that engender his inevitable awakening, enlightenment, and death. They also lead to his dramatic change from a despicable fiend, to a loved companion of Rome. Through massive loses, and profound change in character, Brutus is transformed into a kingly tragic hero.
Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Elements of Literature. Ed. Edwina McMahon et al. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1997.
Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Chelsea House Publisher; Connecticut, New York, & Pennsylvania. 1988, Pg. #33 - 36
There is no such thing as the perfect person. We may dream of such a person, but sadly, everyone has flaws. These flaws are what make us human. Something else that makes us human is our need for heroes. We attribute 'perfect' qualities to our heroes. In reality even our heroes are flawed. The closest thing to the idealized person, or hero, is the Shakespearean tragic hero. The tragic hero is someone of high standing, good character, and a flaw. While it may be only one flaw, it is often fatal. An example of a tragic hero can be best seen in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. Marcus Brutus is a prominent leader and noble citizen of Rome who leads in the assassination of Julius Caesar. We see that Brutus plays the role of the tragic hero through his noble standing, fatal flaw, and legacy.
Alvin B. Kernan. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009. Print.
In conclusion, Brutus is the tragic hero in this play because of the mistakes that he makes, the fall that he takes, and the regrets that he feels after. Brutus will forever be labeled as a traitor, but in the end he is truly sorry for the mistakes that he makes. Because of this, Brutus is the tragic hero.