Brutus Tragic Hero

Brutus the Tragic Hero

“Et tu, Bruté?” (III.i.85). This quotation by Caesar sums Brutus up as a character in the William Shakespeare play, The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar. It shows his flaws and his ambition. Brutus’ flaws are shown when he turns on one of his friends. His quest is to save Rome from the power of Caesar. Brutus is also a great leader and is always loyal to Rome no matter the circumstances. Brutus’ flaws, heroic qualities, and his quest to save Rome show he is the tragic hero in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Brutus’ one quest is to save Rome from Caesar and his ambition. Brutus thinks Caesar is going to have too much power in Rome. Along with some of the other conspirators, he thinks Caesar will become a ruthless leader and end the republic of Rome. Right after he stabs Caesar, he is quick to address the rabblement on his actions. “People, and senators, be not affrighted, / Fly not, stand still: ambitions debt is paid” (III.i.90-91). Brutus tells the people not to worry and that he did them a favor by killing Caesar and his ambition. Brutus only wants the best for his friend Caesar. Brutus has no bad intentions when he stabs Caesar. Brutus thinks human nature will take over Caesar and corrupt his mind without him knowing. “But ‘tis a common proof / That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, / Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; / But when he once attains the utmost round, / He then unto the ladder turns his back” (II.i.21-25). Brutus compares Caesar’s rise to power to climbing a ladder. Brutus thinks once Caesar reaches the top he will forget the lower rungs which brought him there. Being a tragic hero, Brutus has one major flaw; Brutus is too easily swayed to believe what others say or think. Cassius writes notes in different handwritings to try to get Brutus to join the conspiracy and dethrone Caesar. “All tending to the great opinion / that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely / Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at” (I.ii.321-323). Cassius is talking to himself about how easy Brutus is to manipulate. After Brutus reads all the letters Cassius placed on his desk, he starts to think Caesar is growing too powerful. Brutus wants to prevent this from happening and falls right into what Cassius wants him to do. Brutus says “And Therefore think him as a serpent’s egg / which hatch’d would as his kind grow mischievous, / And kill him in the shell” (II.i.32-34). Brutus now wants to kill Caesar before he receives the crown and can become a full grown “serpent”. Even with this malicious thought, he is doing what he thinks is right and still cares for his friend Caesar. Despite Brutus’ flaws, he also has heroic qualities such as his loyalty to Rome, integrity, and his care for Caesar. Throughout the play, Brutus, does not turn his back to Rome for a second. He only wants the best for Rome. As Brutus gives his speech to the rabblement, he better explains himself. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome / more” (III.ii.23-24). He is speaking of his loyalty to the Roman people. Brutus does not want the crown for himself, and he does not want the crown to fall into the wrong hands. Through his loyalty to Rome, he clearly shows he cares for the Roman people. Again in his speech to the people, he states what would have happened if Caesar became king. “Who is here / so base that would be a bondman?” (III.ii.29-30). He is being honest with the people by asking if any of them wants to be a slave to Caesar. As a result of Brutus’ actions throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, one can classify him as the tragic hero of the play. Brutus flaw of being too gullible, his loyalty to Rome, and saving Rome from Caesar all are traits of a tragic hero.