Brutus Tragic Hero

Marcus Brutus as The Tragic Hero of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Aristotle is a Greek philosopher who made significant contributions to many different aspects of literature. In Aristotle’s philosophical treatise, Poetics, a tragedy is depicted as the downfall of a tragic hero, which is conveyed through the unification of hubris, free choice, and an error of judgement. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a person of noble prestige and greatness. Although the tragic hero is notably great, he or she is not perfect because they possess a tragic flaw. The hero’s intention to accomplish a goal inevitably leads him to confronts multiple challenges or limits. Aristotle acknowledges that the tragic hero must have a tragic flaw, or hamartia
Brutus is a strong and influential man who is greatly admired by the Romans. The conspirators take advantage of Brutus’s nobility to prompt the Romans to approbate the death of Caesar. When trying to get Brutus on their side, Casca states, “O he sits high in all the people’s hearts, and that which would appear offense in us his countenance, like the richest alchemy, will change to virtue and to worthiness” (I.iii.162-165). Brutus is very widely respected among the people of Rome since he knows how to assure the people that there is a good purpose to Caesar’s assassination. After Caesar’s death, Cassius declares that, “Brutus shall lead the way, and [they] will grace his heels with the most boldest and best hearts of Rome” (III.i.135-136). Cassius knows that when Brutus is the one to lead the way, the people will think that the death of Caesar is not such a bad thing. Brutus is honored by the Romans since they trust and like him no matter what he does. His motives and intentions are what influence the Roman citizens to view him as an honorable man. During Brutus’s speech about Caesar’s death to the Plebeians, Brutus states, “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (III. ii.21-24). Because Brutus’s love for Rome is greater than his love for Caesar, he
Brutus, like any other tragic hero, has weaknesses that eventually lead him to his downfall. His flaw is that he is naïve, ignorant, and can easily be manipulated. In Act one, Cassius uses flattery to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius states, “‘Brutus’ and ‘Caesar’—what should be in that name ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (I.ii.149-152). Cassius wants to persuade Brutus that Caesar is no better than Brutus is and that Caesar does not deserve all the attention he is getting. Cassius then goes on to remind Brutus that his ancestors were the ones responsible for founding the Roman Republic. “O, you and I have heard our fathers say there was a Brutus once that would have brooked th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king” (I.ii.167-170). Brutus replies and says, “that you do love me, I am nothing jealous” (I.ii.171). Brutus misunderstands Cassius’s words as words of love and affection towards him because of his ignorance. Instead, they are words of envy towards Caesar. Cassius only says this to influence Brutus to think that Caesar does not deserve to become king and convince him to join the