How Is Brutus A Tragic Hero

In Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, Brutus is obviously shown to be a tragic hero. Brutus shows many traits throughout the play that can prove this statement. In many cases, Julius Caesar is seen as the only tragic hero in this play. One can see that Brutus is in fact a tragic hero because he is of noble birth, has a tragic flaw, and dies with courage. First of all, Brutus is of noble birth. This can be identified because it is explained that Brutus is Caesar's second in command, which in old Roman times is an aristocratic position. “What means this shouting? I do fear the people do choose Caesar for their king… yet I love him well” (Act 1 Scene 2 L85-89). Many may believe that Brutus was simply well liked or helpful to Caesar, but the only way to get close to a person of high ranks is to be near the same rank as them.

Brutus is very idealistic, and he puts his loyalty to the Romans and state over the loyalty to his friend, Julius Caesar. “The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! It is impossible that ever Rome should breed thy fellow” (Act 5 scene 5 L122). Contrary to popular belief that Brutus made this conclusion by himself; one can see that he began listening to the wrong people influencing his decisions. This lead to him caring too much about what people would think of him after he kills Caesar. Finally, Brutus shows characteristics of being a tragic hero by dying with courage. Instead of being killed in battle over the murder of Caesar, Brutus decides to run into a knife and end his own life. “Thy life hathsome smatch of honour in it: Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, while I do run upon it” (Act 5 Scene 5 L46). After killing Caesar, Brutus realizes he had made a mistake and bigger deal than he originally meant to. Some may believe that this was Brutus’ plan all along, but it is obvious he wanted his life to go another direction after he killed