Julius Ceaser: Hero or Zero

Hero or Zero Many characters in the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, could have been questioned in terms of their motives and will. Determining who has the actual honor to be titled a tragic hero or a zero. A hero is someone who will risk it all even if that means killing a close friend for the roman people. Julius Caesar became a hero when he refused the crown numerous times and did not receive it. Caesar was hailed as a great man and the question of his heroism, came when his actions took place. Caesar eventually accepted the crown, when it was time that he felt that the roman people really wanted him. When Caesar returned from killing Pomey and Pomey’s son, it started to show that he did this to get complete control over Rome. It was said that Caesar only wanted power and showed that his motives were not as pure. Caesar says, “Such men as he be never at heart’s ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d than what I fear, for always I am Caesar” (I.ii.13). Caesar shows here that he is unashamed of his arrogance. Caesar is providing himself as a powerful man and makes other people fear for his power. Mark Antony was considered as Julius Caesar’s right-hand-man. He took the part as a hero by taking Caesar’s side after death and rallied the Roman people against the conspirators. Antony speaks to Octavius and he also showed that he is mainly after the power also. Antony suggests killing Lepidus because he is only good at delivering messages. Antony not only wanted Lepidus dead but with a list of others, just because they might stand in his way to gaining power. From the start the true hero longs for Brutus, the noble Brutus is at hand. “If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of, Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar, was no less than his. If then that friend demand, why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:--Not that I loved