Marcus Brutus

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According to Dictionary.com, a tragic hero is a great character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for a downfall (“Tragic Hero” Dictionary.com). Marcus Brutus is often mistaken for a villain because he killed Caeser. In the play Julius Caeser, by William Shakespeare, Brutus is portrayed as the tragic hero through many ways; especially through his honor, the way he does what is best for the greater good, and the introspection of himself.
Marcus Brutus placed all his being on his honor and how he was presented. He always did the honorable thing even if it resulted with him dying. Brutus started the play off by openly stating, “for let the gods so speed me, as i love the name of honor more than i fear death,” (1.2.88-89), which unknowingly foreshadowed the end of the play. By saying that honor meant more to him than death, it showed that Brutus was a man with very strong morals. Many people who have very strong inner morals tend to be more selfless and do what they believe is the correct thing to do. As the conspirators begin to plan out the assassination of Caeser, Brutus still takes the higher, more respectable road. Cassius and many others wanted to kill him because they thought he didn't have the right intentions. Although Brutus agreed, he told them “And, gentle friends, let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully. Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.” (2.1.171-174). They all were aware that Caeser needed to die before he gained power, but Brutus took the more honorable and noble way to do it. If they killed Caeser in a gruff or butchering way, it would reflect poorly back on them. With every action Brutus preformed, he made sure it was morally right. Honor shows that Brutus is...

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...the people. If Brutus was the villain of this play, those thoughts would not have run through his mind. If he killed him for his own selfish greed, he would be rejoicing, not dwelling on the possible negative outcomes.
Julius Caeser by William Shakespeare ended with the death of the tragic hero of the play, Marcus Brutus. Brutus proved himself to be the tragic hero of the play by portraying the amazing qualities of honor, civic duty to Rome, and a deep introspective look on the death of Caeser. He performed the selfless act of killing the man who was destined to become ruler and eventually, killed himself. By definition, a tragic hero is a great character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for a downfall (“Tragic Hero” Dictionary.com). This fits the character of Marcus Brutus to a T.

Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. N.d. Print.

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