Is there really such thing as a pure hero or villain? Shakespeare explores this concept in his characterization of three characters throughout his play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. The characters, Brutus, Caesar, and Antony all exhibit qualities of a hero, but upon close introspection they also all exhibit several qualities of a villain.
Although Shakespeare portrays Brutus as an honorable character, he also intends for the readers to question Brutus’ actions. Shakespeare displays both sides of Brutus, his good and his bad when Brutus says, “As Caesar loved me I weep for him. As he/ was fortunate, I rejoice it. As he was valiant, I/ honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him” (JC. 3. 2. 26-28). Brutus feels for Caesar, and loves him, but because he believes Caesar is desirous and that he will do Rome more harm than good, he along with several more conspirators murder Caesar. Brutus struggles with the decision …show more content…
One example of Caesar’s potential to be an oppressor is put into view in Act I Scene III when Metellus asks Caesar to repeal his brother's banishment, to which Caesar replies, “Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning./ Thy brother by decree is banished./ If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,/ I spurn thee like a cur out of my way./ Know: Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/ Will he be satisfied” (JC. 3. 1. 47-53.). This shows that Caesar is strong-minded and will not be wheedled into anything he does not want to be talked into, or in other words Caesar is not easily persuaded. Caesar is stubborn, he makes a decision, and that decision is final; even if later on he realizes he is wrong he will never admit it or change his decision. This proves that Caesar most definitely has the potential to be a tyrant if he is ever to be crowned
Although Shakespeare portrays Brutus as an honorable character, he also intends for the readers to question Brutus’ actions. Shakespeare displays both sides of Brutus, his good and his bad when Brutus says, “As Caesar loved me I weep for him. As he/ was fortunate, I rejoice it. As he was valiant, I/ honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him” (JC. 3. 2. 26-28). Brutus feels for Caesar, and loves him, but because he believes Caesar is desirous and that he will do Rome more harm than good, he along with several more conspirators murder Caesar. Brutus struggles with the decision …show more content…
One example of Caesar’s potential to be an oppressor is put into view in Act I Scene III when Metellus asks Caesar to repeal his brother's banishment, to which Caesar replies, “Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning./ Thy brother by decree is banished./ If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,/ I spurn thee like a cur out of my way./ Know: Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/ Will he be satisfied” (JC. 3. 1. 47-53.). This shows that Caesar is strong-minded and will not be wheedled into anything he does not want to be talked into, or in other words Caesar is not easily persuaded. Caesar is stubborn, he makes a decision, and that decision is final; even if later on he realizes he is wrong he will never admit it or change his decision. This proves that Caesar most definitely has the potential to be a tyrant if he is ever to be crowned