The Times of Julius Caesar
The Times of Julius Caesar
According to Aristotle definition that said, “every tragedy involves a main character that has four main qualities,” Brutus was a tragic hero. Goodness is one of the main qualities. Tragic heroes that are good can arouse pity. Superiority is another main trait where characters that are greater or so supreme seem tragic in there own destruction. Another quality is a Tragic flaw where the tragic heroes make deadly errors in judgment that lead to their downfall. The last quality in a tragic hero is tragic realization. That is where they descend in their ranks, and how they have given to their own destruction. Brutus possesses all of the qualities making him a tragic hero.
The state or quality of being good, kind, or virtuous defines goodness. Brutus was a good man and he was also guided by honor. He formed his behavior to fit a strict ethical and moral code. While toasting with Caesar he was planning in the conspiracy against him and hated himself for being a hypocrite. His reputation is so great that that other people believe in him and will come and join him. Brutus hoped to get rid of arbitrary government from Rome by assassination. By murdering Caesar it established conditions for an even more brutal tyranny with Anthony and Octavious in power.
The definition of Superiority is a superior or greater person. Brutus was a complex man and was very proud of his reputation of honor and nobleness. He tells Cassius that they killed Caesar for justice and that he would “rather be a dog and bay at the moon,” than be a roman who would sell his honor for money. The third main quality for a tragic hero is to have a tragic flaw. Brutus was not always practical; he was often naïve and misjudged the people of Rome. At the forum he told the crowd his reasons for killing Caesar. Brutus believed it was necessary and thought that anyone who heard his reasons would agree with him. He never realized that Anthony wanted to avenge Caesar’s murder and to rule Rome when he allowed him to speak.
Tragic realization is the final quality of a tragic hero. It’s when they realize before their demise, how they have contributed to their own elimination. In...