What Makes Plutarch A Tragic Hero

There are many excellent character traits in various characters in stories that make them the heroes of their stories. While Shakespeare does make them the heroes, he makes them the Tragic Hero. Through the use of dialogue, plot, and external conflict as illustrated in Act 3 and influenced both by his readings of Plutarch and his own English Renaissance culture, William Shakespeare teaches the audience that having or seeking out too much honor can be dangerous to both the individual in question and people around him/her. Shakespeare expertly utilizes dialogue to show the dangerous nature of honor. Firstly, Cassius tried to reach Brutus through his veil of honor. Cassius said “You know not what you do; do not consent to Antony speaking at [Caesar’s]

Thus, Brutus believed Antony was trustworthy and thereby allowed him to speak at Caesar’s funeral. This backfired, as Cassius predicted when he warned Brutus of Antony, when Antony gave a monologue and riled up the plebeians into attacking and killing the conspirators. Thus, Shakespeare demonstrates that Brutus’s trust in others' honor, as well as his own honorability, blinded him from dangers and therefore endangered himself when Antony had the plebeians hurt and kill conspirators like Brutus. Before Antony’s monologue, however, Shakesepare noted another instance of honor blinding someone. This example was when Caesar was stunned by Brutus’ betrayal, saying “Et tu, Brutè?” as he was assassinated (Shakespeare, Act III Scene 1). Some important context for this is that Caesar presented himself in a more noble and honorable way as he desired honor. This act he put on blinded himself from dangerous people, much like Brutus did before, which led him to trust them. This misplaced trust he had in others included Brutus. So when Brutus backstabbed him, Caesar was ultimately shocked and

According to Evans, Caesar’s “last words—“Then fall, Caesar”—are entirely typical of the man. On the one hand, he feels betrayed, his heart seems broken, and he sees no point in even trying to live any longer. On the other hand, in the last split second of his life, he tries to command a fate he can actually no longer control. He gives himself permission to fall when, in fact, he has no real choice in the matter” (Evans). In this quote, Evan explains that Caesar gave up his fate when he misplaced his trust in Brutus due to his lust for honor and consequent, forced honorability blinding him. Thus, Evan’s findings support the notion that Caesar’s death and downfall was caused by his honor, symbolizing the theme that honor can be a negative, dangerous trait. The next literary technique plot adds to this finding of honor. Major plot points in the play also elaborate on the negatives of honor. In Act III, Scene 1, Brutus tells Rome “people, and senators, be not affrighted”. Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid” and Cassius then tells Brutus “Go to the pulpit, Brutus” (Shakespeare, Act III Scene 1). There are two major takeaways