Tragic Hero Essay In his play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare describes his idea of a tragic hero. The “soon to be” Roman emperor is brutally murdered by Brutus and the fellow conspirators. The fate of Rome was passed into their hands, but determined by Brutus’ actions. Brutus, Shakespeare’s tragic hero, had to make important decisions that decided his fate. Shakespeare introduces his tragic hero by incorporating the traditional elements of a tragic hero into the play. He starts by explaining that Brutus comes from the noble family of Junius Brutus, who overthrew the tyrannical Tarquin kings and established a republic in Rome. He states, “There was a Brutus once that would have brooked th’ eternal devil to keep his state
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On one side, Brutus feels killing his friend Caesar is a good idea because it will save the democracy in Rome. Brutus would like to keep the democracy partly because it will prevent having an overpowering emperor and also because his ancestor was the one who started it. Even though Caesar was his friend, Brutus wanted to respect his country before him. “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country need my death,” said Brutus when talking to the plebeians about why Caesar was killed (III. ii. 45-47). He means that he killed his best friend for the good of his country, and that if need be, he will do the same to himself. On the other side of his conflict, Brutus does not want to kill his friend, he would rather him be emperor of Rome even though he does not like the idea very much. Brutus says, “I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king,” and “I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well” (I. ii. 78-79, 82). Shakespeare presents Brutus’ struggle very well by having him say his opinion directly to other characters and in a soliloquy. “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept….” says Brutus in his soliloquy (II. i. 61-62). He also says how he has been extremely worried about the decision he has to make, to kill Caesar or not to kill him. …show more content…
When Brutus and the conspirators killed Caesar, Brutus thought that they were going to take over and keep the democracy in Rome, while the other conspirators had their own intentions in mind. Neither of them, Brutus and the conspirators, thought that the outcome of their actions would lead to a war. They both thought that somehow they would be in charge and Antony would respect their actions. Brutus’s idea of what was going to happen had changed the most because he did not realize the conspirators’ real intentions until his death. Right before he commits suicide he says, “Caesar, now be still; I kill 'd not thee with half so good a will,” (V.v.50-51). Brutus means that he is killing himself with only half as good intentions, as what he killed Caesar with. He is indirectly telling Caesar that he might have still been a conspirator and killed him, but his intentions were honest, just, and pure. Even though Brutus’ actions should have led Rome to keeping a democracy, the conspirators intentions mixed with his caused Rome to instead be led into having an emperor (dictator) and led to the deaths of most of the conspirators and to the death of Shakespeare 's tragic hero, Marcus
On one side, Brutus feels killing his friend Caesar is a good idea because it will save the democracy in Rome. Brutus would like to keep the democracy partly because it will prevent having an overpowering emperor and also because his ancestor was the one who started it. Even though Caesar was his friend, Brutus wanted to respect his country before him. “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country need my death,” said Brutus when talking to the plebeians about why Caesar was killed (III. ii. 45-47). He means that he killed his best friend for the good of his country, and that if need be, he will do the same to himself. On the other side of his conflict, Brutus does not want to kill his friend, he would rather him be emperor of Rome even though he does not like the idea very much. Brutus says, “I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king,” and “I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well” (I. ii. 78-79, 82). Shakespeare presents Brutus’ struggle very well by having him say his opinion directly to other characters and in a soliloquy. “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept….” says Brutus in his soliloquy (II. i. 61-62). He also says how he has been extremely worried about the decision he has to make, to kill Caesar or not to kill him. …show more content…
When Brutus and the conspirators killed Caesar, Brutus thought that they were going to take over and keep the democracy in Rome, while the other conspirators had their own intentions in mind. Neither of them, Brutus and the conspirators, thought that the outcome of their actions would lead to a war. They both thought that somehow they would be in charge and Antony would respect their actions. Brutus’s idea of what was going to happen had changed the most because he did not realize the conspirators’ real intentions until his death. Right before he commits suicide he says, “Caesar, now be still; I kill 'd not thee with half so good a will,” (V.v.50-51). Brutus means that he is killing himself with only half as good intentions, as what he killed Caesar with. He is indirectly telling Caesar that he might have still been a conspirator and killed him, but his intentions were honest, just, and pure. Even though Brutus’ actions should have led Rome to keeping a democracy, the conspirators intentions mixed with his caused Rome to instead be led into having an emperor (dictator) and led to the deaths of most of the conspirators and to the death of Shakespeare 's tragic hero, Marcus