How Is Brutus A Tragic Hero

“Only a great mind that is overthrown yields tragedy” (Jacques Barzun). A tragedy requires the tragic hero to have initiative towards a certain goal he or she pursues that results in their devastating defeat. Heroes never want to be involved with tragedies, but their miscalculations of an action influences them to be victims of tragedy. Based on Aristotle, every tragic play demonstrates a noble tragic hero having a fatal flaw that destructs their life but signifies a meaningful lesson. When examining the tragic hero in works of writing, Shakespeare’s plays portray characters whose flaws lead to their tragic end. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare determines the tragic hero is Julius Caesar however many select Marcus Brutus
Initially, Brutus did not want to be involved with Cassius or the conspiracy when he inquires what dangers will yield out of the assassination of Caesar. His naive personality prevents him from seeing that the assassination is not a noble deed that will bring prosperity to Rome. Brutus authorizes Antony to give an eulogy and protests, “And that we are contented Caesar shall have all true rites and lawful ceremonies” (III. II. 240-241). Of all the conspirators, Brutus was the only noble that had altruistic reason for such a crime. Cassius advises Brutus to eliminate Antony and not permit him to speak for Caesar, but his respect for Caesar and naive nature allows Antony to persuade the citizens to revenge for Caesar promoting civil wars against the conspirators. At the civil war, Brutus makes a mistake of taking the troop uphill to Octavius’s army and leading him to his dead end and defeat .Throughout the story, Brutus has made decisions without the need of discussing it with anyone for opinions. His wife approaches him with this matter, yet he keeps it himself. In the end, Brutus acknowledges his mistake stating, “He bears too great a mind. But this same day must end that work the ides of March begun” (V. III. 112-113). Brutus was too entrusting to everyone he knew thinking they are on the same page as him causing him to be a victim of Cassius’s manipulation. His naive character could not distinguish that
When a tragic hero dies, they leave behind a significant message for someone to apply the lesson to their life. Caesar’s death is tragic making him a tragic hero, his death was partially his fault but the embark of the his assassination is not himself. Caesar says, “Et tu, Bruté? Then fall, Caesar. ” (III. I. 77.). People may say that the death of Caesar was tragic because his trustworthy friend is the last to take his breath and the high position of Rome. However, Antony uses Caesar’s death as evidence to convince the plebeians to take revenge on the conspirators which is a large fraction of Rome’s political decline. His death is not significant and meaningful for anyone in the play while Brutus’s death carries the misdeed of murdering his friend and ruining Rome and leaves Antony and Octavius to confirm that he performs everything as a son of Rome. Noble stature is a characteristic of a tragic hero, so many associate Caesar to be the most noble because of all the contributions he performs for Rome. Similarly, people define Caesar as the tragic hero of the play and Antony claims in the play, “Here was a Caesar! When comes such another? “ (III. II. 253). Many critics determine Caesar is the tragic hero of the play because with such a high position of controlling the Roman Empire his demise negatively impacts Rome the most.