Julius Caesar

William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a tragedy as it shows how the hero of the play rises from a humble position to popularity and power, but ultimately meets a tragic end due to a flaw in his personality; their tragic flaw. The play Julius Caesar shows how being in politics and curiosity, motivated by jealousy, of close friends of a noble person may lead to the tragic end of the hero. The tragedy Julius Caesar is a drama of how the blind trust in the persuasive words of close friends proved to be fatal for Caesar.

Though Shakespeare's play is called Julius Caesar, the main character is Brutus. He is the play's tragic hero. The tragic hero must be a great man who is honorable of deeds and character. Second, the tragic hero has to die. Last, the hero's death is his own fault, brought on by his poor judgment because of a tragic flaw in his character.

Brutus is a great man in Rome. Brutus is admired by everyone. He is not a man who openly complains even if he worries about the fate of Rome in the hands of Caesar. Brutus believes in doing the honorable thing, even if it means his death.

Cassius lies to Brutus as he speaks of  the will of someone even as noble as Brutus as he tricks him to believe there is more of a threat than there may really be. Brutus will join Cassius.

Being naive is Brutus' tragic flaw. He too easily believes Cassius and he gives in with Cassius' plot to kill Caesar. From one meeting to next, Brutus has allowed himself to be swept into Cassius' conspiracy. Brutus will not know how this friend tricked him. At the end of the play, he honors Cassius.

Brutus does die in this tragedy. He fights like a lion and is a good leader to his men. Rome is his only concern. He risks, and loses, his life for the good of his country. When he thinks about all this, that he and Cassius may be defeated, he declares he will no longer allow himself to be captured and paraded through the streets in ignominy. Brutus chooses a soldier's death. To die by his own sword rather than be taken prisoner.