Brutus: A Tragic Hero In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

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In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare uses the Roman era to depict human emotions and their drive to specific actions. In the story, the plot focuses on Marcus Brutus, a noble Roman that is loved by the people and considered very honorable. However, Brutus is depicted as a tragic hero, despite the name of the play, but the idea is an important factor of Shakespeare’s tragedies. As the play moves forwards through its five acts, the audience experiences the multiple factors of a tragic hero, which can be seen through the emotions and actions of Brutus.
Some of the main characteristics of a tragic hero are connected to Brutus throughout the story, and greatly affect his actions. Most commonly, the character is of high status,
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Once Brutus realizes he is defeated, he would rather die than submit to the new government of Rome. As a result, Brutus kills himself using his sword and is eventually found by Antony and Octavius. By the end of the play, even Antony and Octavius realize Brutus’ true expectations and hopes compared to the desires of the other conspirators. In the end, Antony announces “This was the noblest Roman of them all: All the conspirators save only he, did that they did in envy of great Caesar; he only, in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them” (Act V, scene v, lines 68-72). Finally, the surviving characters perceive the difference between Brutus’ desire and the outcome, realizing the Brutus fills out the tragic hero he has become. In conclusion, Brutus is Shakespeare’s key example of a tragic hero in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Through the five characteristics of a common tragic hero, Brutus its to them as the play continues and he evolves within the story. Although Brutus dies by the end of the play, his cause remains valiant in order to provide for the people. In his relationships with others, but also his action for the people earn him the title of Shakespeare’s “noblest roman of them all” (Act V, scene v, line

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