The Tragedy Of Brutus
A hero is someone who does something worth telling a story about. A tragic hero is the same, except their story ends badly for them. In William Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus, not Caesar is the tragic hero because he displays all five traits of a tragic hero; he is of noble birth, he is essentially good, has a tragic flaw, he struggles to solve his problems, and he suffers more than he deserves.
Brutus was of noble birth and essentially good. Brutus was friends with Caesar. Most rulers only associate themselves with other important people, which means Brutus has some sort of royal or important status. Brutus is essentially good because he killed Caesar for the good of Rome. Brutus said that he killed Caesar because he loved the citizens of Rome more than Caesar. In Brutus's speech to the people, he said "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (Act 3, Scene 2, line 21-22) Brutus is saying that he killed Caesar because he wanted the best for Rome and its citizens.
Brutus has a tragic flaw of pride and struggles to solve his problems. Brutus's tragic flaw is pride. He is prideful in thinking that he can do better than Caesar. He says "The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offenses enforced, for which he suffered death." (Act 3, Scene 2, lines 37-41) Brutus struggles whether to kill Caesar or not. He does not want to kill his friend, but Cassius convinces him it would be better if he ruled Rome and so Brutus relents.
Brutus suffers more than he deserves with people close to him dying. His wife Portia commits suicide when she hears about the conspiracy being discovered. "For with her death that tidings came--with this she fell distract, and (her attendants absent) swallowed fire." (Act 4, Scene 3, lines 151-153) His friend Cassius also died. Cassius said "With this good sword, that ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom..Caesar. Thou art revenged, even with the sword that killed thee." (Act 5, Scene 3, lines 41-46)
Brutus is a tragic hero, showing all five traits of a tragic hero in William Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Brutus is known for being the main person who killed Caesar. Part of the reason tragic heroes are famous is because they died. Heros who lived aren't as well known.
