In “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”, by William Shakespear, Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus are considered as tragic heroes. While the play is entitled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, there is a debate about whether Julius Caesar or Marcus Brutus is the actual tragic hero. This essay will argue that Brutus is the actual tragic hero by examining three elements of the tragic hero and evidence from the play.
Firstly, a tragic hero is a character who has a tragic flaw that ultimately leads to their downfall. Brutus’ tragic flaw is his idealism and logic over emotions. This is evident in Act II, Scene i, where he decided to join the conspiracy against Caesar. He believed that his actions would be good for Rome. However, his actions were based on
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At the beginning of the play, Brutus is shown as a respected and honorable person by the people of Rome. However, by the end of the play, he has lost everything. He has lost his family, friends, and most importantly his reputation. He was filled with guilt and regret because of the consequences of his actions.
Lastly, one of the most important elements of a tragic hero is their virtuous and noble status. Brutus is shown as senator and close friend of Caesar, which makes him a high rank person. Additionally, the conspirators ask Brutus to join their plan to assassinate Caesar due to his influential status and reputation in Rome.
However, it can also be argued that Caesar is the tragic hero of the play. Caesar’s death is shown to be a turning point in the play, as it leads to civil war and the downfall of Rome. This argument shows that Caesar’s downfall has an important impact on the story’s outcome.
Although Caesar’s death may have a significant impact on the story’s outcome, it does not make him a tragic hero. Caesar’s downfall is caused by the action of the other rather than his own flaws, which does not match with the elements of a tragic hero. Brutus is considered a tragic hero because the play is mostly focused on Brutus rather than