Brutus: A Tragic Hero

"A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall”, a wise quote from Aristotle himself. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as one who is born of a noble status, one who contains a tragic flaw, one who has a reversal of fortune, one who has an increase of self-awareness, and one who evokes pity or fear from the audience. Considering these particular characteristics, Brutus fits the bill as the tragic hero of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. William Shakespeare includes the ideals of a tragic hero in Brutus’ character,while his complex features lead to his final demise. Brutus, from William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, experiences all five ideals of a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s
Cassius specifically reflects on their relationship while belaboring about Caesar’s rise to power, “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that “Caesar”?/Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name” (I.ii.143-145). This quote clarifies Brutus’ importance in Rome and how he is seen just as important as Caesar. In a later instance, Brutus’ name arises while the conspirators plan Caesar’s assassination. Casca emphasizes the importance of Brutus joining the conspirators, “O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts;/And that which would appear offense in us,/His countenance.../Will change to virtue and to worthiness” (I.iii. 157-160). The meaning to Casca’s quote is that the citizens of Rome think highly of Brutus, and the killing of Caesar will have justification if Brutus joins. Once again, this example further proves Brutus’
Anagnorisis refers to a tragic recognition or insight which results in an increase in the tragic hero’s self-awareness and self-knowledge. After mistakenly trusting Antony, Brutus shows up with a completely different mentality in acts four through five. Antony’s very convincing speech turns the citizens of Rome against the conspirators. Once Brutus hears word that “Octavius and Mark Antony come down upon us with a mighty power” towards Philippi, he joins with Cassius for battle (IV.iii.166-167). Thus proving that Brutus disregards his noble status to the citizens as he fights against his own people. Likewise, Brutus even urges for Cassius and the troops to move towards Philippi as soon as possible, “We, at the height, are ready to decline./There is a tide in the affairs of men/Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” (IV.iii.215-217). Earlier in the tragedy, Cassius similarly suggests to take advantage of others while Brutus opts for the more noble option. But instead of moving forward, Cassius rather wait, while we see Brutus gaining knowledge about seizing an opportunity to bombarde Antony’s troops. Completely separate from Brutus’ anagnorisis about battling, is his anagnorisis regarding Caesar’s assassination. Throughout the final two acts of The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar, this tragic hero recognizes that assassinating Caesar seems wrong. One example of Brutus’s