Brutus Flaws

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is written by William Shakespeare. This play is about a true historical event with minor tweaks here and there. Shakespeare makes Marcus Brutus the tragic hero in this play. He is faced with the decision to kill his best friend or to let him possibly become a dictator. Brutus being the tragic hero had to have some tragic flaws. Brutus was manipulated through Cassius’ clever planning, bad judgment calls, and his nobility. Throughout the play Brutus’ apprehension of killing Caesar is very much apparent. But it all started with Cassius planting a little doubt in his head. Cassius is a wise guy and knew just what to say to get Brutus talking. Once he got the little piece of information he need he started to make his move on Brutus. “... See brutus at his house. Three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire…”(I. iii. 54-55). He sent Brutus fake letters from the people of Rome begging Brutus to help

Cassius being with him trying to keep him on the course makes more of the better decisions. He tries to get Brutus to go his way but Brutus is somewhat stubborn. After the conspirators killed Caesar, Antony makes a request to speak at Caesar’s funeral. While Brutus is more than happy to oblige Cassius is apprehensive about his motive. Brutus agrees to allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral but some rules were set into place. Cassius was right about what Antony had in mind so he and Brutus had to flee Rome. They eventually had a battle with Antony and Octavius while Cassius wanted to wait in Sardis Brutus decided to surprise them at Philippi. “Aye, at Philippi… I will see thee at Philippi then”(IV. iii. 287-288). The night before they were supposed to leave for Philippi Brutus has a conversation with Caesar’s ghost. The ghost tells Brutus that he will meet him at Philippi and Brutus readily agrees. He went against better judgment and decided to go to Philippi that same