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. Brutus has high social status in Rome. Brutus is a senator, and a popular one at that. Cassius says that “many of the best respect in Rome... have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes” (1103). Many people look up to Brutus, and wish he would help with their problems. Brutus has enough social status and wealth to hire six servants (1097). Brutus’s wife, Portia, is “Cato’s daughter”, a highly respected man (1124). IT would take someone of high status to marry a daughter of Cato’s. Portia asks if Brutus thinks she is “no stronger than [her] sex, being so fathered and so husbanded” (1124). This implies that Brutus is a man on a near caliber to that of her father. Even after Brutus is run out of Rome, he keeps his high status by becoming a general. One of the qualities of being a tragic hero is high social status, and Brutus has this quality. Brutus has several tragic flaws. One of these tragic flaws is how he trusts people a lot. Brutus says that he “know[s] that we shall have [Antony] well to a friend” (1140). He trusts Antony will be a friend of the conspirators, yet he seems to not realize that Antony is obliviously against them, because they killed his friend. Brutus trusts Antony so much, that he lets Antony speak to the public alone. Antony turns the people against Brutus and the conspirators, leading to the wars where Brutus takes his own life. Brutus also receives letters, supposedly from the people of Rome. As he reads the letter out loud, Brutus remarks “‘Speak, strike, redress!’ Am I entreated to speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, if thy redress will follow, thy receivest thy full petition at the hand of Brutus” (1118).
In this essay, the author
- Defines a tragic hero as someone of high social rank, who has tragic flaws that lead to their downfall.
- Analyzes how brutus has high social status in rome, and is a popular one at that. many people look up to him and wish he would help with their problems.
- Analyzes how brutus has several tragic flaws. he trusts antony so much that he lets him speak to the public alone.
- Analyzes how brutus' dignity in the face of death, along with his other qualifications, makes him a tragic hero.
- Compares marcus brutus to caesar, who was over trusting and hypocritical when it came to superstition.
Related
- analytical
- Julius Caesaranalytical essayThe Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined the “Tragic Hero” — his idea of a tragedy’s main character. The Tragic Hero has good intentions, but his own actions result in his downfall. The hero is usually male, of noble birth, and may have supernatural experiences. Although he may not initially fully comprehend the consequences of his choices, he eventually understand their contributions to his doom. There are characters in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar who may fit some of these characteristics. Caesar is unexpectedly killed by senators for his political approach when he assumed he was serving Rome. Antony loses his dear comrade and friend, Caesar, and tries to avenge him, but his efforts are in vain. Caesar and Antony do not meet Aristotle’s definition of the Tragic Hero in full context. However, Brutus clearly represents Aristotle’s Tragic Hero as his intentions for killing Julius Caesar were to protect the empire he loved. and brought upon him personal destruction.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the greek philosopher aristotle defined the "tragic hero" as the main character of a tragedy. the hero is usually male, of noble birth, and may have supernatural experiences.
- Analyzes how brutus murdered caesar with honorable purpose so that the roman people would not "die all slaves", but "live [as] freemen."
- Analyzes how brutus satisfied minor nuances of the role of a tragic hero, ultimately defining aristotle's tragic hero.
- Analyzes how brutus met his death through his actions and their subsequent consequences. he killed caesar to protect rome, which turned into a downward spiral for him.
- Analyzes how brutus symbolizes the tragic hero in julius caesar on various aspects and levels. he chose to kill caesar with honor, and did not corrupt his actions with greed and hunger.
774 wordsRead More - Brutus: A Tragic Hero in Shakespeare´s Julius Caesaranalytical essayThe definition of a tragic hero is perceived as on who is neither wicked nor purely innocent, one who “is brave and noble but guilty of the tragic flaw of assuming that honorable ends justify dishonorable means”. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus takes the role of the tragic hero. Brutus’s honor, nobility, and self-righteousness makes him “a tragic figure, if not the hero” (Catherine C. Dominic).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how marcus brutus in shakespear's "tragedy of julius caesar" proved the role of nobility and honor. he was a loyal friend and protector of rome.
- Analyzes how brutus plays the role of the tragic hero in the tragedy of julius caesar.
- Analyzes how brutus shows forth his self-righteousness as he makes the murder to be a ritual sacrifice.
- Analyzes how brutus is a self-righteous reformer whose political and personal delusions invite disaster.
- Analyzes how brutus is of high position and takes care in his decisions, going against caesar to help the country.
1445 wordsRead More - A Hero’s Tragic Downfallanalytical essayA Hero’s Tragic Downfall In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus is portrayed as a tragic hero. He believes he can amend the Roman Empire by killing Caesar and granting Romans freedom from a potential monarchy. Cassius comes to Brutus with intentions of obviating Caesar from the throne.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's the tragedy of julius caesar portrays brutus as a tragic hero. he believes he can amend the roman empire by killing caesar and granting romans freedom.
- Analyzes how brutus is an honorable, trustworthy man to even the most respectable romans, but he is easily manipulated.
- Analyzes how brutus' downfall qualifies him as a tragic hero because he is well-off and admired by the romans and caesar himself.
- Opines that brutus deserves sympathy because he remained true to the original cause. he wanted to protect his country and the roman was of life from a potential monarchy.
- Concludes that brutus is the tragic hero of the play. he causes his own downfall and demise by partaking in the conspiracy.
880 wordsRead More - Free Julius Caesar Essays: The Tragic Heroanalytical essayA tragic hero is the character whose actions deeply affect the other characters and who creates a series of events that eventually lead to the character’s downfall and the downfall of his loved ones. Such a hero possesses a flaw in character that influences his actions and thinking and especially his judgments. In logically determining who the hero in Julius Caesar is, one simply must find the one character who fits the above guidelines. Marcus Brutus is the only one, and, thus, he is the tragic hero.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a tragic hero is the character whose actions deeply affect the other characters and who creates events that eventually lead to his downfall. marcus brutus fits the above guidelines.
- Explains that cassius, casca, trebonius and ligarius wanted to rid rome of caesar, but not one of them could give the green light. they needed an honorable man to support them and justify their actions. marcus brutus agreed to be their source of strength.
- Analyzes how marcus brutus made his second and third mistakes. he rose before the roman populace and attempted to offer a justification of caesar’s murder.
- Analyzes how brutus' tragic flaw was his perception that all men were identical to him in their motives. cassius convinced him to join the conspiracy to prevent one man from becoming "rex."
- Opines that brutus fits the description of a true tragic hero in this play.
487 wordsRead More - The Greed and Ambition of Marcus Brutusanalytical essayGreed, ambition, and the possibility of self-gain are always constant in their efforts to influence people’s actions. In Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus, a venerable politician, becomes a victim of the perpetual conflict between power-hungry politicians and ignorant commoners. He is a man of honor and good intentions who sacrifices his own happiness for the benefit of others. Unfortunately, his honor is strung into a fine balance between oblivion and belief and it is ultimately the cause of his downfall. His apparent obliviousness leads him to his grave as his merciful sparing of Mark Antony’s life, much like Julius Caesar’s ghost, comes back to haunt him. Overall, Brutus is an honest, sincere man who holds the lives of others in high regard while he himself acts as a servant to Rome.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how marcus brutus, a venerable politician, becomes victim of the perpetual conflict between power-hungry politicians and ignorant commoners in julius caesar.
- Analyzes how brutus' leadership and compassion for others make him a popular figure amongst the roman people and his reputation establishes him as an influential individual.
- Analyzes how brutus follows cassius' phrase to a fault. he is motivated to join the conspiracy because he believes antony doesn't pose any threat.
- Analyzes how brutus is hesitant to join the conspiracy to kill caesar because he has to choose between the life of his friend or risk the extermination of a republic.
- Concludes that brutus' mistakes and flaws are overshadowed by his honorable intentions and genuine motives.
962 wordsRead More - Free Julius Caesar Essays: Marcus Brutusanalytical essayBrutus was a man loyal to his country. He was very modest and did what he though was right. Although he can be swayed by other people, like the planted letters, he still thinks and acts on his own.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how marcus brutus in the tragedy of julius caesar chooses the death of his friend and the conspirators who are plotting against caesar.
- Analyzes how brutus and cassius get into an argument leading to cassuis saying he shall kill himself.
- Analyzes how brutus' tragic flaw in all of this was he was too loyal to rome and to his friend caesar at the same time.
- Analyzes how brutus was a man loyal to his country. he was modest and did what he thought was right.
- Narrates how brutus was affected by others when the notes were planted. he was swayed towards the conspirators, but when they talked to him, he decided to join them.
637 wordsRead More - Brutus is the Tragic Hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesaranalytical essayBrutus was a man of noble birth. He had multiple servants and was often referred to as “Lord”, which indicates a certain level of respect for him. He was a very highly thought of person in Rome. At no point did he ever betray anyone, although he did kill Caesar, he did it to better Rome, not to mislead him. Everything he did was for the advantage of someone else. Even after Brutus dies, Marc Antony says “This was the noblest roman of them all; all the conspirators, save only he, did that they did in the envy of Caesar; he only in a general honest thought and common good to all...” This shows that regardless of brutus killing Caesar, he is still considered noble because he had good intentions. Brutus was also the best friend of Julius Caesar, the most powerful man in Rome. Had he been a commoner, Caesar most likely would not have associated with him or trusted him as a friend.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how brutus's tragic flaw is that he is easily manipulated and persuaded. he is nave and allows others to swindle him.
- Analyzes how brutus had a valid excuse for killing caesar, which the people believed, but marc antony didn't agree.
- Concludes that brutus is the real tragic hero because throughout the play he is battling himself over good vs. evil.
- Explains that the tragedy "julius caesar" by william shakespeare should be renamed "brutus" because caesar is not the tragic hero.
934 wordsRead More - Marcus Brutus as the Tragic Hero in Julius Caesaranalytical essayThere 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.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how brutus plays the role of the tragic hero in shakespeare's play julius caesar.
- Analyzes how marcus brutus' noble standing adds to his appeal as a tragic hero. most tragic heroes are of high standing because they are easily recognizable.
- Analyzes how brutus' fatal flaw is his trustworthy nature. he joins the conspiracy not because he "loved caesar less but loved rome more."
- Analyzes how brutus, despite his death and loss in the war, represents the moral of the play.
- Analyzes how brutus's noble standing, fatal flaw, and legacy help us understand the tragic hero.
528 wordsRead More - Honor And Honor In Shakespeare's Julius Caesaranalytical essayThroughout the play, Brutus speaks about honor and his loyalty to his country. These two concepts become major conflicts for him when it comes to his friendship and loyalty to Caesar. Brutus life is conducted by the concept of honor. He constantly throughout the play speaks of how honorable he is and how honorable men should live. He 's very proud of how Romans view him as a noble and honorable man, who fights for what is right and is always following the moral and ethical code. Brutus ends up using the concept of honor and loyalty to his country as a reason why Caesar must die. He 's convinced that his countrymen will thank him for saving them from a tyrant and that Rome would be much better off without Caesar, but it ends up being a big miscalculation
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how brutus' concentration on honor and nobility ends up being used against him by cassius, who instigates him to kill his best friend.
- Concludes that brutus murdered caesar for the good of the people of rome. he killed himself instead of being captured by running into his sword, because that's more honorable.
- Analyzes how brutus uses the concept of honor and loyalty to his country as a reason why caesar must die.
- Analyzes how brutus' life philosophy is that of stoicism, and how cassius uses his ethics against him and makes him a choice to be part of the conspiracy to kill caesar.
1109 wordsRead More - Julius Caesar Essay: Brutus As A Tragic Heroanalytical essayA tragic hero is a person who has helped change a friend for their good but dies while in the process or has to kill the person for their good. A tragic hero is a person who has kept a watch on someone then dies or gets hurt while keeping them safe or trying to change them. In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare he uses Brutus as a tragic hero.Brutus is a tragic hero because he does everything for the better of Rome, he doesn’t abuse power, and being friends with Caesar at a young age then killing him. In the whole play Brutus believes that everything has to be for the better of Rome to be a tragic hero. A tragic hero to Brutus is someone that commits their whole life to bettering Rome and their people.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses brutus as a tragic hero in julius caesar because he does everything for the better of rome.
- Analyzes why we need a tragic hero in life and what do they do for our life? brutus does everything for the better of rome.
- Explains that brutus doesn't abuse his power over rome. he believes that all that needs done is for the better of rome and its people.
- Analyzes how caesar abused power because he wanted to be the ruler of rome instead of brutus even though they had a friendship once.
- Explains that brutus is a tragic hero because he uses his power for the better of rome and its people.
664 wordsRead More