How Is Brutus A Tragic Hero

Julius Caesar is regarded as one of William Shakespeare’s greatest works of literature. It is mainly based on is mainly based on the assassination of Julius Caesar.Brutus, a servant and close friend to Julius Caesar. was ironically the ringleader for Caesar’s assassination. Brutus thinks that if he assassinates Julius Caesar he will be doing what was best for Rome. In this play, Brutus is often referred to as the tragic hero. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero must be noble, demonstrate hubris, demonstrates hamartia, and experiences an epiphany. Brutus fits Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero since he has all of the characteristics. A tragic hero requires be noble. Shakespeare made Brutus noble in this play by making him always wanting
Hamartia is another word for tragic flaw. Brutus demonstrates hamartia in his naivety. One way this was demonstrated was when Brutus was discussing the assassination and they wanted Cicero to get involved. Cassius, Casca, Cinna and Metellus all believed that Cicero should be involved to. Once Brutus made his decision, he stated, “O name him [Cicero] not! Let us not break with him, for he will never follow anything that other men begin” (2.1.161-3). Brutus did not even speak persuasively; he just exclaimed his opinion and everyone agreed with him all of a sudden. This shows that the Cassius, Casca, Cinna and Metellus might be just trying to use Brutus to get rid of Caesar. Another way Brutus demonstrates hamartia is him being manipulated too easily. Cassius flattered Brutus and Brutus let the compliments get to him. One example is when Cassius compared Brutus’s and Caesar’s names. Cassius tries to flatter Brutus by saying, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. ‘Brutus,’ and ‘Caesar.’ What should be in that ‘Caesar?’ Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1.2.149-53) Cassius explains to Brutus that they were the ones to determine their own fate and not the stars. In other words, he is trying to tell Brutus they are inferiors at their own will. This gives an impression that Cassius is trying to make Brutus feel guilty about himself. Then Cassius
Aristotle define epiphany in a tragedy where the tragic hero realizes his/her mistake or mistakes made. In Julius Caesar, Brutus had an epiphany when he was getting ready to fight Octavian and Mark Antony’s army. In the tent discussing his plans with Cassius, he confesses that his wife, Portia, died. Brutus sadly explains: “She [Portia] is dead...Impatient of my absence, and grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony have made themselves so strong– for with her death that tidings came– with this she fell distract, and (her attendants absent) swallowed fire... Speak no more of her...” (4.3.171-83). Brutus is upset that his wife is dead and realizes that he dragged her into this mess. He accuses himself for losing the love of his life, and this creates a sensation of pity. This is the turning point in the play where Brutus starts to believe that killing Caesar was not right. Brutus also experiences an epiphany at the end of the story, after his defeat against Mark Antony and Octavian. Having lost everything, Brutus decides to murder himself. Brutus’s final words were, “...Caesar, now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will” (5.5.56-7). With these meaningful last words, Brutus creates a sense of pity for himself. Brutus was never sure of whether he should have killed Caesar or not, and he proves it with these words. To kill himself “with half so good a will” he gives the impression to where he is