Julius Caesar Character Analysis

For several centuries, tragedy is one of the many popular genres of literature. In every tragedy, there is a tragic hero who makes an error that leads to their own downfall. William Shakespeare is known to have written many tragedies, which includes Julius Caesar. Due to the many downfalls of numerous characters during the play, it consequently led to arguments about who the tragic hero is. Some critics argued that Julius Caesar, who the play is named after, is the tragic hero while others reason that Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero. However, through the analysis of two essays “Julius Caesar- A Tragic Hero” and Toby Le’s “The Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar”, it became evident that Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero of the play because he demonstrates several characteristics: a tragic dilemma, tragic flaw, downfall, and an epiphany. Considering the main points explained in both of these essays, I am also persuaded that Brutus’s character best fits the standards of a tragic hero.

   In many stories there is a tragic hero. The hero finds out about himself and the people around him in the story. In Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero. The play Julius Caesar is about politics and betrayal in ancient Rome. Brutus is part of the senate, which is below Caesar, who is soon to be crowned. The senate wants to overthrow Caesar to save Rome. To do this the senate has to get Brutus on their side and help them kill Caesar. Shakespeare portrays Marcus Brutus as a honorable naive about the character of men. Marcus Brutus fits Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero in a tragedy, in which is he is not good nor evil, is a

Due to the eponymous title of the play, Julius Caesar, readers often interpret Julius Caesar as the protagonist whilst subsequently labelling Cassius, the architect of Caesar's demise, as the villain. However, if a neutral perspective is taken it is clear that Cassius is the tragic hero of Julius Caesar. In order to determine whether Cassius is the tragic hero of Julius Caesar it is imperative to establish what a 'tragic hero' really is. Aristotle states "A tragic hero is a character who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice and depravity, but by some error or frailty." Aristotle adds "He must be one who is highly renowned and prosperous" and "A man cannot become a hero until he sees the root of his

The play involves a highly respected senator, Brutus, who decides to join the conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar, in the effort to keep democracy intact. Brutus believes that if Julius Caesar is allowed to live, Caesar will take a kingship and turn the government into a monarchy. Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators kill Julius Caesar, yet they find Antony, a loyalist of Caesar, seeks revenge on them. Plato set out rules on the traits a tragic hero must possess. A tragic hero must neither be an evil villain nor a great hero,

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a controversial play written by Shakespeare in 1599 which depicts the conflicts in the time of Caesar. The play is centered on the growing problem of Caesar becoming too powerful for Rome. The young Senator, Brutus, has to make the difficult decision to either oppose Caesar or to trust him and his vision for Rome. Ultimately, Brutus is persuaded by the Senator Cassius and together they gather a group of Senators with the plan to assassinate Caesar. After the murder, Brutus calls upon Antony, and tells him he may only speak at Caesar's funeral if he speaks positively of the conspirators. Antony falsely agrees. After Brutus gives his speech to the people of Rome, everyone in the crowd believes that Caesar was

After reading the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, think “who best fits the role of a tragic figure In this play?” There are many tragic figures, but the one who stands out the most and who practically defines the play as a tragedy would be Brutus. In the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare portrays Brutus as the tragic figure. Marcus Brutus fits Aristotle’s definition of a tragic figure.

Aristotle once said “A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” These words best describe what a “Tragic Hero” is and both Julius Caesar and Brutus displayed this characteristic, so the question is “Who is the real tragic hero in this story?” This paper shall explore the reasons behind why each man is considered a hero in his own right and who the rightful owner to the title of the play truly belongs to.

The play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, has two main tragic heroes. Set in Rome and spanning from forty- four to forty-two B.C., the play tells of Brutus and Caesar whom both fall from the highest positions to the lowest of misfortune and then are enlightened on their mistakes. Brutus is the stronger example of a tragic hero in this story. Throughout this play, Brutus commits many faults, falls more drastically than all other characters, and regrets his previous actions by the end of the play.

In conclusion Brutus is the tragic hero, a man who lost his wife, his own life and all his power due to one flaw. However, Brutus never knew that being too gullible would end his life someday. Only William Shakespeare knew what would lead to Brutus’ tragic fate . Julius Caesar the fall of a great ruler many may say. However the story has more to

His character in the play exemplifies the true definition of a tragic hero, he is a man of high power and is praised by others, but his ego is his tragic flaw that leads to his demise. Julius Caesar is a man of high position and power. The people of Rome praised him as a hero when he defeats Pompey. Caesar is loved so much that “the crown offered him thrice?” (27).

Ambition, power, and misinterpretation. These recurring themes in Julius Caesar construct the play’s plot and help the story compel its readers. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1599. An acceptable reason as to why Shakespeare wrote this play is because how Julius Caesar’s life reflected politics during Roman times to that of Shakespeare’s time. Using a popular figure from the past was Shakespeare’s way of commenting on contemporary politics. The characters in the play have been forced to make several decisions that have either affected them or the people around them, physically and or emotionally. These major decisions can alter the characters’ lives positively or negatively. In Brutus’s case, his choices ended up changing his life negatively. Brutus’s decision to join the conspirators resulted in the assassination of Caesar, a riot, and a suicide.

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, two potential protagonists are presented to the audience. Both Brutus and Caesar have been mentioned as possible protagonists, but there can only be one protagonist. But who is the real protagonist? Although there is proof to back up Caesar, Brutus has more proof and solid proof. Therefore, Brutus should be named protagonist of the story.

William Shakespeare presents us with a prominent example of a tragic hero in his play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Because they experience misfortune and loss, tragic heroes fall from a high status to a low, pitiful existence. This fall is brought about through mistakes and flaws in their own character. Brutus is one of the tragic heroes appearing in this work of literature. He begins as a popular senator in Rome’s democracy who plots to overthrow is superior. Because of the murder of Caesar he begins a journey to a downfall of his own creation. His poor judgment and mistakes, tragic loss of wife and home, and lack of reaching goals, lead to enlightenment and ultimately his tragic death.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare. It follows the new sole leader of the Roman Republic after he defeated his former co leaders of his triumvirate. While Caesar celebrates with the citizens, a select few from the Roman Senate get jealous and/or fearful of Caesar and his "growing ambition". Another character worth noting is Brutus, Caesar's closest friend and senior senator. He is persuaded by the conspirators to drive a plan for killing Caesar.

William Shakespeare’s play, “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” was mainly based on the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar. “Julius Caesar” is a play based on rhetoric and politics. Rhetoric is the science of manipulation. Marcus Brutus, a Senate and a beloved friend of Caesar stood as the face among the conspirators leading the assassination of Julius Caesar. Aristotle said, “A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his downfall”. He defined a tragic hero as someone who is highly renowned and prosperous. According to Aristotle’s Poetics, a tragic hero is someone who is noble, has one or more fatal flaws, realizes them and pays for his actions. Though Julius Caesar was noble, he does not endure a reversal of his actions as described in “Poetics” written by Aristotle. All the characters of a tragic hero described in the Poetics can be seen in Marcus Brutus. Brutus is noble, killed Caesar whom he thought was ambitious, and committed suicide at the end for his behavior.