Brutus Tragic Flaw Quotes

The tragic flaw in Marcus Brutus was his pride. Brutus was lulled into the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar with Cassius’ flattery and also flattery in the form of letters forged by Cassius to appear that various Romans had lauded Brutus. Brutus would best fit Aristotle’s description of the tragic hero because of his pride—that is, pride in his integrity and pride in his reputation. Brutus’ pride in his integrity is demonstrated when Cassius approaches him because Brutus has “wronged” Cassius (p. 103-105) In a time of battle, Brutus attacked Cassius for defending a man who took bribes from the Sardians (p. 103).

Brutus blindly believes Antony’s loyalty towards Rome and the conspirators, which gives Antony the chance to foil their plans. After Caesar’s death, Antony immediately sends his servant to deliver a message to Brutus saying, “If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony / May safely come to him” and give the reason why “Caesar hath deserved to lie in death” (Shakespeare III.i.145-147), then Antony “will follow / the fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus” (III.i.149-150). Knowing that Brutus is the least likely person to kill him out of the conspirators, as he is an honorable person, Antony takes advantage of Brutus’ overly trusting nature. In his message to Brutus, Antony acts sincere by pledging his loyalty to him in order to save himself and to be in an advantaged

“Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1.2.140). Brutus allowed Cassius to talk him into killing Caesar, and believed that he should be loved and supported as much as Caesar. Brutus knew that with Caesar out of the way, he would become the people's

(III.ii.26­-28) In this sense, it shows that Brutus cares about Caesar, but when it seems to be affecting the country he loves, he will take any measures to stop it. As one standing in the midst of the crowd, it would appear through logic that Brutus did not kill Caesar out of anything personal, but rather he was slain to prevent a dominating ruler from forming. On the other hand, Antony takes the very words that defended Brutus, and makes them his downfall. Antony brings the plebeians back to the time where," I thrice presented him a kingly crown,/which he did thrice refuse.

I killed not thee with half so good a will (5.5.50-51) When he says this he is stating that he killed himself with motives twice as pure of that which caused him to kill Caesar so therefore Caesar should consider himself avenged. One example of how some people think Brutus is a villain is they think he killed Julius Caesar just for his power. The power to rule Rome.

Brutus is a true tragic hero in the play because he admits that he did wrong by killing Caesar. In William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero. Obviously, Brutus’s actions brought opposite results of what he intended. On the other hand, some might say that was the same for Caesar.

Brutus also contains several other characteristics of a tragic hero. For example, Brutus possesses a hamartia. “Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins/ Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar” (Shakespeare II.1.18-19). In this quote from the story, Brutus is saying that he believes Caesar would abuse the power of being crowned king.

The second major characteristic of a tragic hero is they must have a hamartia or tragic flaw, Brutus’s tragic flaw is having a noble personality and being extremely trusting because of it. Throughout the play, Brutus makes it a point to not deceive anyone. Everything he does, he does for the benefit of someone else. Caesar was murdered by him with only the best intentions of Rome in his mind, he lied to Portia because he knew she was already stressed out, and he was reluctant to join the conspirators because he cared for Caesar. In his funeral speech to Caesar, he says “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” Brutus loves Rome enough to commit murder on a man that saved his life (III.ii.21-22).

In Act I, Scene II of Julius Caesar, Brutus states, “If it be aught toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death in the other, and I will look on both indifferently, for let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.” This quote shows that he rather die than live without honor. One of Brutus’s weakness is also honor. Brutus holds all of his fellow Romans in high honor. Antony, along with other Romans, uses this weakness to deceive him.

Brutus and Cassius are two prominent conspirators in the play Julius Caesar; one of these two fits Aristotle's depiction of a tragic hero. The difference between a normal hero and a tragic hero is that the latter will have a tragic flaw that keeps them from succeeding. These characters are often sympathetic and will cleave to the reader's pity. Firstly, we shall discuss Cassius. He was a man of questionable character.

Brutus asks Strato to hold his sword so he can run on to it and end his life. After his death, Antony states “ This was the noblest Roman of them all” (V,V,793). In the end, Brutus is definitely a tragic hero. Brutus had talked to the conspirators who wanted Caesar dead for their own selfish reasons. Brutus pondered whether he should be loyal to his friend, or kill him for the well being of Rome.

William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play written to describe the death of Julius Caesar and the trials that happen after. Although the story is written with the intention of focusing on the effect of Julius Caesar on the people of Rome, it indirectly focuses on Marcus Brutus and the consequences of his decision to kill Caesar. I believe Brutus was misunderstood in much of the work. Throughout the play, he was portrayed as a murderer and a backstabber rather than a noble man who faced much inner turmoil over the situations he was put into. I sympathize with Brutus considering that he is blamed for the death of a tremendous leader.

Throughout many of Shakespeare’s plays and tragedies, a tragic hero shines though the story and is identified as the character who possesses a flaw that eventually leads to their defeat or death. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, there has been much debate about who is the tragic hero in this play. Many people agree that Marcus Brutus is the tragic hero; however, others argue it is Caius Cassius. After examining these two specific characters, a conclusion is more easily drawn. Marcus Brutus can be identified as the tragic hero of this play because he is a person that has heroic qualities such as nobility and affection; however, it is his strong love for his country and people that lead to his disastrous demise.

As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; // as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; // as he was valiant, I honour him: // but, as he was ambitious, I slew him” (JC, 3.2.20-30), leaves the mob more disturbed and bitter than ever before they succumb to Antony’s appeal to emotion as he continues to exploit their self-love. Brutus’s naïve belief that he has successfully justified his actions in the eyes of the Romans with such a short speech lacking any self-love is a sign of his naivety – a form of foolishness that lacks folly. On the other hand, Antony’s long speech is brave and fearless – a sign of a fool who embodies folly. According to Folly, “I [folly] is also the champion of prudence” (Folly, 27) as prudence is derived from experience, and men who lack

(Act2 Lines 14, 17-18) This is showing that Brutus is having a conflict with himself