A tragic hero is the dominant character of a book or play, whose actions affect the overall outcome. The traits of a tragic hero include a fatal flaw and a tragic death. Brutus’s also had high status by being in the senate and has a fatal flaw of being gullible. Along with those characteristics, Brutus also makes bad choices and ends up having a tragic death brought on because of his choices. In Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus’ character fulfills these attributes, and he should therefore be considered the tragic hero.
Brutus exhibits his fatal characteristic from the beginning of the play when Cassius confronts him. Cassius explains to Brutus how Caesar will eventually have too much power and abuse it. He tells how Brutus can help the Roman Empire by participating in the elimination of Caesar. Cassius, however, has an ulterior motive and just wants to kill Caesar off for his own gain; he knows he can do this once he has Brutus agreeing with him.
Trusting Cassius is was a bad decision and Brutus eventually goes through with his plan of assassinating Caesar. Even though he means well, Marcus Brutus betrays his friend for what he believes for the best interest of the common people. After he helps murder Caesar, Brutus feels extreme regret for what he did after he realizes Cassius was not a friend.
All tragic heroes die as a result of their actions. Brutus’s actions paved the way towards his death. While on the battlefield he feels great regret and wishes he could repay Caesar for what he did. He only realizes this after an argument with Cassius, though. Standing there he decides to kill himself.
Brutus’s characteristics fit those of a tragic hero. He made his mistakes for what he believed to be right and regretted them deeply. Antony commented on how he didn’t want the greed and political gain from the murder, but instead how he wanted the best for the citizens of Rome.
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