Julius Caesar is a play written by the famous William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar was first printed in 1623. Julius Caesar portrays an influential point of view on past events which include Brutus as a principle character. In Julius Caesar, the main principle character Brutus attempts to use his power for good but ultimately fails due to his own shortcomings as a man and as a leader. In Julius Caesar, Brutus plays the role of hero well at first glance; he attempts to do what is right but lacks the unyielding conviction necessary to carry out the task set before him.
Brutus’ tragedy lies in his failure to account for all possible outcomes of events leading up to and including assassination attempt on Julius Caesar’s life . At one point or another, the following characters attempt to persuade Brutus to believe that Julius Caesar is not fit for leadership of Rome: Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Julius Caesar himself, and even Portia. However despite his knowledge that Julius Caesar does not deserve or merit the position of power he holds over the populace of Rome, Brutus fails to act on this knowledge until it becomes too late.
Brutus’ tragic flaw is his inability to see beyond what is presented in front of him rather than think about all possible consequences . After Julius Caesar has been stabbed by a group of conspirators which includes Brutus, Mark Antony gives a moving eulogy during Julius Caesar’s funeral. Mark Antony’s powerful speech at Julius Caesar’s funeral is capable of bringing Julius Caesar back to life . Brutus is the only character who does not become overwhelmed by Mark Antony’s spellbinding oratory skills.
Brutus remains stoic and unresponsive even as Julius Caesar is brought back to life with Mark Antony’s words. Julius Caesar regains his strength and asserts himself; Julius Caesar then questions the motives behind Brutus’ actions . Julius Caesar then challenges Brutus’ notion that Julius Caesar has become an autocrat, despite all evidence which proves otherwise. Julius Caesar also accuses Brutus of being a coward for murdering Julius Caesar in his sleep rather than face him like a man . Julius Caesar decides he will no longer occupy his throne after learning what transpired between Cassius and Brutus.
Julius Caesar states that he would rather be a man of the people than a ruler over them . Julius Caesar exits stage left, leaving Brutus alone to face not only his own judgment but also the judgment of the Roman populace. Julius Caesar decides to stay true to himself regardless of any consequences that could ensue. Julius Caesar’s tragic flaw is what ultimately causes Julius Caesar’s downfall. Julius Caesar remains focused on appearing as if Julius Caesar has not changed despite all evidence to the contrary .
Julius Caesar becomes arrogant, believing that he is incapable of being killed even though several attempts have been made on Julius Caeser’s life already . Julius Caesar’s arrogance leads him down a path where he is murdered in his sleep by those Julius Caesar considered to be Julius Caesar’s closest friends. Julius Caesar’s tragic flaw leads Julius Caesar to his death and ultimately, Julius Caesar’s death leads the Roman Republic into a dark period of history where no real democracy can take root because powerful men like Brutus know how to manipulate the system in their favor .
In the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus is an excellent example of a hero with tragic flaws. Brutus is tragically flawed in that he fails to consider all possible outcomes when Julius Caesar is being viewed with contempt by Julius Caesar’s peers . Brutus’ tragedy lies in the fact that Julius Caesar views himself as an honorable man no matter what Julius Caesar does, even if Julius Caesar has to make up his own version of the truth at times. It was not until Mark Antony gave a moving eulogy during Julius Caesar’s funeral that Julius Caesar wanted Julius Caesar’s throne back.
Julius Ceasar believed it was more important to protect the democracy Julius Ceasar established after Julius Ceasar assumed power over Rome than keep power over Rome for himself . By Mark Antony making Julius Ceasar see all of the terrible things that occurred due to Julius Caesar’s absence, Julius Caesar decided Julius Ceasar needed to protect Julius Caesar’s democracy from being shattered by those who undermine Julius Ceasar for personal gain. Mark Antony accuses Brutus of being a coward for killing Julius Caesar in his sleep rather than face Julius Caesar like a man.
Mark Antony also accuses Brutus of murdering Julius Ceasar because Julius Ceasar refused to give up the throne and asked Mark Antony to be put to death. Julius Caesar was not going to let anyone take Julius Ceasar away from Julius Caeser’s people if Julius Caesar could help it . In order to live up to his own standards, Brutus becomes the tyrant that he never wanted Julius Caesar to become . By assuming power despite all evidence that Rome is better off Julius Caesar, Brutus becomes Julius Ceasar’s enemy.
Julius Caesar is Julius Caesar’s friend; Mark Antony is Brutus’ friend . Brutus has many friends in Julius Caesar’s cabinet but Julius Caesar also has many enemies. Brutus ultimately decides that it would be best for Rome if Julius Ceasar were dead. By persuading the other assassins to join him in killing Julius Caeser, Brutus is able to convince them that keeping Julius Ceasar alive will not be beneficial to Rome as a whole . Mark Antony accuses Brutus of betraying Julius Caesar by lack of action during Julius Caesar’s assassination instead of helping Julius Ceasar.
Mark Antony claims that without Brutus, there would have been no Julius Caesar because Julius Ceasar would have never been mad enough to think he could be a tyrant. Julius Caesar was Julius Caesar’s friend . Brutus’ tragic flaw ultimately leads to his own downfall as well as Julius Ceasar’s and the rest of the assassins as well. Brutus, being one of Julius Ceasar’s closest friends, should have been able to see what was going on around Julius Caeser instead of believing Julius Caesar was a threat to Rome.
