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Tragic Flaw of Brutus

Decent Essays

The play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, entails the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and Brutus, the man plotting against him. At the opening of the play Julius is being celebrated for his victory over Pompey. Later, he is offered kingship; but Caesar refuses the crown. On the ides of March Brutus and some other men come before Caesar to plead a case; except, their only motive is to kill Caesar. Antony, Caesar’s right hand man, pretends to side with the conspirators after Caesar is killed, while he gathers an army to defeat Brutus. Antony and Octavius’ army defeats Brutus’ troops; forcing Brutus and many others to commit suicide. The tragic character, Brutus, is usually the protagonist that has a tragic flaw and this causes his defeat. A tragic flaw is the cause of their downfall, usually an action or belief. Brutus’ tragic flaws are his nobility, trust and the inability to wrong people. Brutus is the tragic character in Julius Caesar because of his nobility and because he does all his deeds for the good of Rome.
One of Brutus’ tragic flaws is his concern for the general good of Rome. Brutus’ flaw leads him to kill Caesar to protect Rome from a tyrant. Brutus knows he should not have to kill his friend for fear of him becoming overbearing. One night, while Brutus is in his garden, he is debating his love for Caesar and his concern for the good of Rome. He feels he should not kill his friend, but the good of Rome almost demands this horrid act. Brutus argues with

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