Julius Caesar Analysis :: essays papers

Julius Caesar AnalysisAristotle was perhaps the pi iodiner of modern day dramas, morespecifically dramatic tragedies. He first defined what atragedy is A drama which contained hubris, pathos and/orbathos, and the most valued element in a tragedy, a tragichero. This was usually the main character who is nobleman in hisdeeds, yet has one flaw which causes him to fall. The tragicworks of Shakespeargon were no exception. In the drama, JuliusCaesar the reader can clearly see numerous of the principles of atragedy. That is all except for the tragic hero. Ideas as towho is the tragic hero range from Cassius to Julius Caesarhimself. The trouble is all characters have material to proveand disprove them. nonetheless the hypothesis that Marcus Brutus isthe tragic hero is incorrect. One element to a tragic hero isthe hero has unaccompanied one tragic flaw, and Brutus clearly has morethan one flaw in his character. The first flaws in Brutuscharacter is his naivete and the assumptions he ma kes aboutother characters. Through out the entire story these two flawsare reflected in many of his decisions and actions. A specificexample is his view on the Roman populace. Thinking all Romansare honorable and noble it is not only incorrect, but itplagues him until the very end of the play. One instanceoccurred as the conspirators were meeting. Brutus stated, Letskill him boldly, but not wrathfully...... This shall make ourpurpose necessary and not envious.... (Shakespeare, JuliusCaesar, 2.1. 172 & 177-178). He candidly believed that allinvolved were going to kill Caesar for honorable reasons. Notonce did he question the motives of everyone, where, in realityBrutus probably was the only involved for noble reasons. Brutusundoubtedly convinces the reader of his own naivete when hestates, ... let us bathe our hands in Caesars blood... Letsall cry Peace, freedom, and liberty (3.1. 106 & 110) Justby his enthusiasm, Brutus is not aware of any other motives. He simplybelieves that , Peace, freedom, and liberty are the only motives.Another example was during his speech at Caesars funeral. ... notthat I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more (3.2. 18-20).Addressing the nobility of his actions and his love for Rome, Brutussurmises that the people understand him because of their equal lovefor their country. This assumption is evident because he uses it asthe sole reason for killing Caesar. A reason that Brutus believes thepeople agree with, otherwise he would not use it to rationalize such a