Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar
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. The main reason that Marcus Brutus deserves the title of tragic hero is his noble personality. First of all, throughout the play, he never deceives anyone. Although he did murder Julius Caesar, it was for the good of Rome, not to deceive Caesar. Everything that he did was for the benefit of someone else. Even though he killed Antony's best friend, Antony still recognized Brutus as "the noblest Roman of them all." He does this in Act 5, Scene 5, after Brutus' death because Brutus the only conspirator that actually killed Caesar because he was not envious and he actually did care about the good of Rome. He cared more about others than he did himself. For instance,
The events that occurred because of Brutus' naiveness led to his downfall and death. This choice, in the end, was the main reason for his suicide. He believed all that people told him and felt no one would lie or deceive him. His last error, was not so much because of his naive trait, it was just pure desire in Act 5, Scene 2. All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He, only in general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them. This fault occurred when he starts the battle without telling Cassius about it. He realizes what a honorable man Caesar was. He thought that everything was good in the world, and that all men were honorable. He had to weigh his choices and in Act 3, Scene 2, Brutus kills Caesar only because he is afraid of what will happen to Rome if Caesar remains ruler. He knew the commoners life would be difficult with the ruling of Caesar. Brutus also frequently demonstrated many acts of affection toward others. His first mistake was in Act 2, Scene 1. In Act 1, Scene 2, he is reluctant to join Cassius's conspiracy because he did not want to betray Caesar. He kills himself because he realizes it is more noble to commit suicide than become captured and dragged through Rome.
Common topics in this essay:
Roman Act,
Mark Antony,
Cassius Brutus',
Rome Brutus's,
Cassius Antony,
Julius Caesar,
Marcus Brutus,
Cassius Brutus,
Rome Caesar,
Throughout Shakespeare's,
tragic hero,
julius caesar,
scene 2,
5 scene,
tragic flaw,
act 5 scene,
act 5,
marcus brutus,
flaw leads defeat,
noblest roman,
brutus tragic,
act 3,
character flaw leads,
5 scene 5,
tragic hero play,
|