Is marcus brutus a tragic hero? essay

While Brutes may be a complex character with internal conflicts, it is ultimately one’s own decision to do what’s right. Career’s life was at Brute’s mercy, and he became the coward he truly is when he drove the dagger into Career’s heart. Was assassinating Caesar really necessary? This is a reasonable question many readers/viewers have asked upon the introduction of the play. No, it was not, but the hand that brought about Career’s death was itching for murder.

Brutes could have appealed to the senate regarding Career’s coronation. Caesar was not yet emperor, and there was still a democracy in order! Brutes fears for tyranny, but in reality, he is the tyrant himself, as he is the one who rebelled with violence. Surely the conspirators couldn’t have thought their dastardly plan would not have consequences? Surely they could have foreseen the havoc that ensued Rome post- murder? But, blinded by the thirst for glory, Brutes follows through and kills Julius Caesar–the biggest mistake of his life. Not only is Marcus Brutes a weak character, but he is a weak friend, too. Career’s last words are “ Et TU, Brute? ” (37), translated into, “ You too, Brutes? ” Oh yes, Brutes also! Caesar fell at the hands of someone he trusted, of someone who, we know by his dying words, he never expected to betray him. Then, when Brute’s best bud Cassias died fighting for him, Brutes simply makes sure that “ His funerals shall not be in [their] camp, Lest it discomfort [them]” (75). Yes, this is Brute’s last thought of his friend as he bled to death on the battlefield. God forbid he feels sorrow over anyone besides himself.

Lastly, we see how much Brutes cares for his friends when he tells Strata that “[Strata’s] life hath had some snatch of honor in it” (77). Basically, “ Hey, Strata, you’re kind of honorable, I guess, want to do me a big favor? ” Brutes belittles the last person who stands by him in his last moments, because all the talk of “ honorable” (47) Brutes has gotten to his big head. He then has the audacity to ask Strata to hold his sword so he could kill himself on it. A real friend stands by his companions, he doesn’t stab them in the back, and that’s what Brutes is–a backstabber. Brutes is a weak character too easily manipulated to tell right from wrong. His oratories are hardly credible, as he “[loves] The name of honor more than [he fears] death” (6).

Brutes “[knows] no personal cause to spurn at [Caesar], But for the Is Marcus Brutes a tragic hero? By Sultanates general” (18). He didn’t even have anything against Caesar, but killed hilled him for glory. Brutes is a coward, taking the path of murder for his own benefit. He believes that through the assassination of Caesar, he will find nobility and honor, conquering his own insecurities; then when he is faced with the true consequences of such an evil act (pretty much all of Rome at war with him), he takes the easy, cowardly way out by way of suicide–killing himself before any of his enemies can get to it.

The weasel KILLED another man, believing he had Just cause to do so, then ran away from the consequences! No man who harms others in an attempt to heal himself, such as Brutes, deserves the title of “ noblest Roman of them all” (78). In the end, we decide our own fate. Our destinies are not written in the stars, for if they were, we would not have the option to make our own choices and choose twine right and wrong, good and evil.