Is Brutus A Tragic Hero
People often bring out the worst or best in another person. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Cassius contrasts Brutus which leads Brutus to become a tragic hero and helps develop a theme in the play.
First, Cassius contrasts Brutus because they have different character traits. Brutus is honorable and gullible, while Cassius is envious and manipulative. In the play, Cassius states, “Brutus and Caesar:/What should be in that “Caesar”? /Why should that name be sounded more than yours?/ Write them together, yours is as fair a name;…” From this statement and throughout the entire play, we can understand that Cassius manipulates Brutus by the way he speaks and words his thoughts. Because Cassius is intelligent and cunning, …show more content…
In the beginning of the play, Cassius convinces Brutus to help execute Caesar. We know this because after him and Cassius talk, Brutus says, “Be any further moved. What you have said/ I will consider; what you have to say/ I will with patience hear, and find a time/ both meet to hear and answer such high things.” After Caesar’s death, a civil war began. In a scene in the play, Cassius wants Antony and Octavius to battle against him and Brutus. Towards the end of the play, Cassius and Brutus both commit suicide. Before Brutus dies, he says, “It is more worthy to leap in ourselves/ Than tarry till they push us…/ Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it.” From this quote we know that Brutus is a tragic hero because he was born and died an honorable man.
Lastly, the interaction between Cassius and Brutus develops a theme for the play. When Cassius says, “Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars/ But in ourselves, that we are underlings,” we know the theme of the play is that one always has control over his fate. When Brutus chose to listen to Cassius and kill Caesar, he decided his fate. If they would not have killed Caesar, they would most likely not have died the way they
First, Cassius contrasts Brutus because they have different character traits. Brutus is honorable and gullible, while Cassius is envious and manipulative. In the play, Cassius states, “Brutus and Caesar:/What should be in that “Caesar”? /Why should that name be sounded more than yours?/ Write them together, yours is as fair a name;…” From this statement and throughout the entire play, we can understand that Cassius manipulates Brutus by the way he speaks and words his thoughts. Because Cassius is intelligent and cunning, …show more content…
In the beginning of the play, Cassius convinces Brutus to help execute Caesar. We know this because after him and Cassius talk, Brutus says, “Be any further moved. What you have said/ I will consider; what you have to say/ I will with patience hear, and find a time/ both meet to hear and answer such high things.” After Caesar’s death, a civil war began. In a scene in the play, Cassius wants Antony and Octavius to battle against him and Brutus. Towards the end of the play, Cassius and Brutus both commit suicide. Before Brutus dies, he says, “It is more worthy to leap in ourselves/ Than tarry till they push us…/ Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it.” From this quote we know that Brutus is a tragic hero because he was born and died an honorable man.
Lastly, the interaction between Cassius and Brutus develops a theme for the play. When Cassius says, “Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars/ But in ourselves, that we are underlings,” we know the theme of the play is that one always has control over his fate. When Brutus chose to listen to Cassius and kill Caesar, he decided his fate. If they would not have killed Caesar, they would most likely not have died the way they