Tragic Hero The play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is about the assassinatio
n of a Roman ruler. A conspiracy has formed against Caesar, and even his most trusted friend, Brutu
s, is taking part in its' plot. This young man, who seems to have misjudged the character of Caesar
, can be seen as the tragic hero. Although he valiantly upholds what he believes is right, he meets
his untimely end from his decision. Throughout the play, there are several hints about who the tra
gic hero is, and as the story unfolds, one notices the consequences reaped by Brutus' ill-advised de
cision. Brutus, known by citizens as a respected politician and senator of Rome, is the tragic hero.
He displays many valuable qualities, but also has many flaws, which will eventually cause his down
fall. Specifically, Brutus is gullible, quick to judge people, and hastily makes decisions. Brutus
' opinion of Caesar is greatly swayed by Cassius' speech, and he considers joining the conspiracy.
"That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim; How I have t
hought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter. For this present, I would not so (wi
th love I might entreat you) be any further moved. What you have said I will consider©"(I.ii.162-68
) After only a short conversation with Cassius, Brutus' seems to agree that Caesar is a tyrant, and
soon he makes his decision to join the conspiracy. If it weren't for this decision, future events w
ould not have taken place, and Brutus could have saved his own life. Rather then base his conclusio
n on facts; Brutus relied on his emotions and opinions about Caesar to make his choice. As a result
of killing Caesar, Antony arouses the hatred towards Brutus and the conspirators, and they are forc
ed to flee the country. During this time away from Rome, Brutus chooses to build an army, and resis
tance towards the Triumvirates. When the time comes for war, instead of staying in fortified areas
surrounded by mountainous and wooded regions, Brutus decides to march to Philippi and meet his enemy
. This is his second most crucial mistake that leads to his downfall. This hasty decision, was not
thought through, and is noticeably contradictive to Cassius' plan. This I believe is another of Br
utus' flaw that causes him to disagree with other people, and force his decisions on others. Good re
asons must of force give place to better. The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground do stand but i
n a forced affection; for they have grudged us contribution. The enemy, marching along by them, By t
hem shall make a fuller number up, Come on refreshed, new added and encouraged; From which advantage
shall we cut him off If at Philippi we do face him there, These people at our back (IV.iii.202-11).
This decision to move away from the area of fortification is another reason for his downfall. If h
e chose to stay in the protection of the mountains, his army may have warded off the troops from Rom
e. Brutus eventually commits suicide because he thought that it was more respectable to die this wa
y, than by the hands of Antony. In many ways did the decisions Brutus made effect the outcome of thi
s play. If he hadn't joined the conspiracy, he would obviously not have killed Caesar, and may have
been a great ruler of Rome. If he had not made that second decision to attack the troops at Philip
pi, he might have triumphed over them, and became ruler of Rome in that way. Instead, he was persua
ded to join the conspiracy, and he soon took charge without thinking of consequences. He may be see
n as blind-sighted, foolish, and hasty. These things that tainted an otherwise noble Brutus, lead t
o his demise. tragic hero play tragedy julius caesar william shakespeare about assassination roman r
uler conspiracy formed against caesar even most trusted friend brutus taking part plot this young se
ems have misjudged character caesar seen tragic hero although valiantly upholds what believes right
meets untimely from decision throughout play there several hints about tragic hero story unfolds not
ices consequences reaped brutus advised decision brutus known citizens respected politician senator
rome displays many valuable qualities also many flaws which will eventually cause downfall specifica
lly gullible quick judge people hastily makes decisions opinion greatly swayed cassius speech consid
ers joining conspiracy that love nothing jealous what would work have some have thought this these t
imes shall recount hereafter this present would with love might entreat further moved what said will
consider after only short conversation with cassius seems agree that tyrant soon makes decision joi
n conspiracy weren future events would taken place could saved life rather then base conclusion fact
s relied emotions opinions about make choice result killing antony arouses hatred towards conspirato
rs they forced flee country during time away from rome chooses build army resistance towards triumvi
rates when time comes instead staying fortified areas surrounded mountainous wooded regions decides
march philippi meet enemy second most crucial mistake that leads downfall hasty thought through noti
ceably contradictive cassius plan believe another flaw causes disagree with other people force decis
ions others good reasons must force give place better people twixt philippi ground stand forced affe
ction they grudged contribution enemy marching along them them shall make fuller number come refresh
ed added encouraged from which advantage shall philippi face there these back move away area fortifi
cation another reason downfall chose stay protection mountains army warded troops rome eventually co
mmits suicide because thought more respectable than hands antony many ways decisions made effect out
come play hadn joined obviously killed been great ruler made second attack troops might triumphed ov
er them became ruler instead persuaded join soon took charge without thinking consequences seen blin
d sighted foolish hasty these things tainted otherwise noble lead demiseEssay, essays, termpaper, te
rm paper, termpapers, term papers, book reports, study, college, thesis, dessertation, test answers,
free research, book research, study help, download essay, download term papers