Julius Caesar and the Tragic Hero

Sakespear's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar holds two possible candidates for a tragic hero, however Brutus fits the persona best. The true definition of a tragic hero, as found by Aristotle, is a character who falls from a high standing to a low standing. They suffer enourmous loss, but are eventually enlightened of their own flaw or flaws. Initially the play begins with Caesar returning to Rome from defeating Pompey. Meanwhile, the first seeds of conspiracy are begining to take root. Although Brutus ignores Cassius's chiding to join the conspirators his tragic flaw of being easily molded and persuaded lead him to fall prey and join. As time progresses Brutus makes many grievous errors, and his flawed logic leads him to become bereft of all he once held dear. In the end, preceding his death, Brutus grasps the fact that he has no one to blame for his loss but himself; thus the enlightenment. All of these characteristics classify Brutus as the tragic hero of this play.

Brutus feels that he is an honorable man; however, he is not the only one. "For Brutus is an honorable man." (950). Although this is spoken in a sardonic manner by Antony, it is also a common feeling amongst the Roman people. The belief that Brutus is honorable gives him the feeling he is a rightful leader. Unfourtunately, Brutus is not a good judge of character, and his logic is often flawed. "And therefor think of him as a serpent's egg...And kill him in his shell." (911). Referring to Caesar as a serpent's egg, Brutus agrees with the conspirators, and he proposes that they murder Caesar for something he may one day do. He uses a moving line to justify the unjust and flawed logic he uses. In addition not only is this decision unethical, there is also...

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...n remind us of ourselfs, and how we often try and fail. We see him lose his dear wife and continue warily onward. His only impetus seeming to be the love he feel towards his country. "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (948). In the end he has not only lost many companions, but he has lost his quintessent name. This will cause him to be judged forevermore, by many generations, and the realization that he has lost his good name is the culminating force that pushes him to end his life.

Brutus is easily persuaded and often has flawed judgement about many critical decisions he must make. These flaws are tragic, and they lead him to become downtrodden. Contrary to what the title may be, the true tragic hero of The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar is Marcus Brutus.

Works Cited

Elements of Literature. Orland: Holt, Winston, Rinehart, 2007.