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Essays on Julius Caesar

Prompt examples for julius caesar essays, the character of julius caesar.

Examine the character of Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play. Analyze his ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses. Discuss how his actions and decisions contribute to the play's central conflicts and themes.

The Tragic Hero in Julius Caesar

Explore the concept of the tragic hero as it applies to a character in the play. Identify the tragic hero and discuss the traits that make them fit this archetype. Analyze their downfall and its significance in the story.

The Role of Brutus

Discuss the character of Brutus and his role in the conspiracy against Caesar. Analyze his motivations, moral dilemmas, and his ultimate decision to join the conspiracy. Explore how Brutus's actions impact the unfolding of events.

The Power Struggle in Julius Caesar

Examine the theme of power and political ambition in the play. Discuss how characters like Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony vie for power. Analyze the consequences of their actions and the political turmoil that ensues.

The Role of Fate in Julius Caesar

Explore the theme of fate and prophecy in the play. Discuss how omens and prophecies shape the characters' decisions and the outcome of events. Analyze whether the characters' fates were predetermined or if they had free will.

The Use of Rhetoric in the Funeral Speeches

Analyze the famous funeral speeches delivered by Brutus and Mark Antony. Discuss their use of rhetoric to sway the crowd's opinion. Examine the persuasive techniques, appeals to emotion, and their overall effectiveness in achieving their goals.

The Theme of Betrayal in Julius Caesar

Discuss the theme of betrayal and loyalty in the play. Examine how characters betray one another, whether it's through conspiracy, manipulation, or deceit. Analyze the consequences of these betrayals.

The Gender Roles in Julius Caesar

Examine the portrayal of gender roles in the play. Discuss the limited roles and agency of female characters like Calpurnia and Portia. Analyze how masculinity and femininity are depicted and whether they influence the characters' actions.

The Historical Accuracy of Julius Caesar

Discuss the historical accuracy of Shakespeare's portrayal of Julius Caesar and the events surrounding his assassination. Analyze how Shakespeare adapted historical events for dramatic purposes and the potential impact on the audience's perception of history.

The Legacy of Julius Caesar

Explore the lasting impact of Julius Caesar on literature, politics, and culture. Discuss how the character and events of the play have influenced subsequent works and historical interpretations.

Hook Examples for "Julius Caesar" Essays

Anecdotal hook.

"As I delved into the political intrigue and tragic consequences of betrayal in 'Julius Caesar,' I couldn't help but reflect on the timeless themes of ambition, loyalty, and the perils of unchecked power."

Rhetorical Question Hook

"What drives individuals to conspire against a leader, and what are the consequences of their actions? William Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar' prompts us to explore the complexities of power and ambition."

Startling Quote Hook

"'Beware the ides of March.' These words of warning in the play's opening act set the stage for a tale of betrayal and tragedy. 'Julius Caesar' serves as a cautionary tale for leaders and societies."

Historical Hook

"Set in ancient Rome during a time of political upheaval, 'Julius Caesar' offers insights into the dynamics of power and governance in the Roman Republic. Exploring this historical context adds depth to the narrative."

Narrative Hook

"Step into the world of conspiracy, ambition, and the struggle for control as you follow the tragic fates of Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius. This narrative captures the essence of Shakespearean drama."

Character Analysis Hook

"Delve into the complex characters of 'Julius Caesar,' from the charismatic Caesar himself to the conflicted Brutus. Analyzing their motivations and flaws adds depth to the narrative."

Moral Dilemma Hook

"What moral dilemmas do the characters face in 'Julius Caesar,' and how do these dilemmas resonate with contemporary ethical questions? Exploring the play's ethical dimensions prompts reflection on our own choices."

Political Intrigue Hook

"How does 'Julius Caesar' depict the complexities of political intrigue and manipulation? Delving into the play's political themes sheds light on the strategies and consequences of political actions."

Tragic Consequences Hook

"What are the tragic consequences of conspiring against a leader, and how do they ripple through society? Examining the play's impact on characters and the state offers valuable insights."

Shakespearean Legacy Hook

"How does 'Julius Caesar' contribute to William Shakespeare's enduring literary legacy? Exploring the play's place in Shakespearean drama reveals its significance in literature and theater."

The Motives Behind Cassius's Messages in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

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The Reformer of The Roman Empire: Julius Caesar

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Julius Caesar: a Great Leader Or not

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Julius Caesar's Rise to Power and Dictatorship

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12 July 100 BC

March 15, 44 BC

Julius Caesar, in full Gaius Julius Caesar, was a politician and general of the late Roman republic. Caesar led the Roman armies to conquer the vast region of Gaul (58–50 BC) and to won in the civil war of 49–45 BC. Caesar played a decisive role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Caesar began his career in politics as a prosecuting advocate and started to study philosophy in Rhodes. In 74 BC, Mithradates VI Eupator, king of Pontus, had declared war on Rome and Caesar defeated him with a private army. Julius Caesar’s power and prestige started to grew.

In 61 to 60 BC, Caesar served as governor of the Roman province of Spain. Soon, in 59 BC, Caesar got elected as senior Roman consul. The First Triumvirate was an informal alliance formed by Caesar, Crassus and Pompey, that soon controlled Rome. Caesar became a governor of the vast region of Gaul in 58 BC. During the subsequent Gallic Wars, Caesar earned a reputation as a formidable and ruthless military leader.

Caesar was master of Rome and made himself consul and dictator. He used his power to carry out drastic reforms to benefit Rome’s lower and middle class. Caesar also resurrected two city-states, Carthage and Corinth. Caesar declared himself dictator for life in 44 B.C.

His success and ambition alienated strongly republican senators. Soon, a group of senators, led by Cassius and Brutus, assassinated Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC.

Caesar changed the course of the history of the Greco-Roman world decisively and irreversibly. He became the first Roman figure to be deified. The Senate gave him the title "The Divine Julius."

"Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)" "In the end, it is impossible not to become what others believe you are." "The greatest enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look."

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Julius Caesar

William shakespeare.

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Julius Caesar: Introduction

Julius caesar: plot summary, julius caesar: detailed summary & analysis, julius caesar: themes, julius caesar: quotes, julius caesar: characters, julius caesar: symbols, julius caesar: literary devices, julius caesar: quizzes, julius caesar: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of Julius Caesar

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• Full Title: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• When Written: 1599
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1623
• Literary Period: Renaissance
• Genre: Tragic drama; history play
• Setting: Rome and environs, 44 B.C.E.
• Climax: Brutus’s suicide
• Antagonist: Cassius
• Point of View: Dramatic

Extra Credit for Julius Caesar

Time Warp. As in many of his plays, Shakespeare manipulates time in Julius Caesar , both for dramatic convenience and to make the setting less foreign to his audience. For example, the time between Caesar's triumphal march with Pompey's sons and the defeat of Cassius and Brutus was around two years in real life, but Shakespeare compresses it into two months. And at one point a mechanical clock strikes the time, yet such clocks wouldn’t be invented for over 1,000 years after the play takes place!

Et tu, Bruté? Despite the title of Julius Caesar , one could argue that this play could just as easily be titled the Tragedy of Brutus . Caesar dies less than halfway through the play and has fewer lines than several other major characters. The story of the noble Brutus being undone by his dispassionate logic and his trust in Cassius conforms much more closely to the literary model of tragedy.

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William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Essay

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Introduction

Plot development, works cited.

Julius Caesar is probably one of the most referenced works by Shakespeare; it depicts actualities drawn upon the events in the Roman Empire. According to Wyke (4), the play explores the dramatic structure of Julius Caesar’s ambition to take to the throne of the Roman Empire. The drama introduces Julius Caesar as a man with unyielding ambition to the throne, having fought for the good of the nation. Although regarded by many pundits as a hero, Julius Caesar is equally facing opposition to ascend to Roman leadership, and there is a hatched conspiracy to assassinate him (Taylor 301). Tragic events permeate the plot and literary scholars refer to Julius Caesar as a tragedy itself.

After a successful war that saw the killing of Pompey, Caesar returns to Rome to proclaim his Kingship. There is pure irony as a community projects itself to have more regard for an individual than a nation. The culminating events are tense; the nation is appalled, and something has to be done to neutralize the situation. Caesar is a national figure although there is clear polarization in the senate to stop his ascendancy. Overall, Caesar seems to have greater opportunities of ascending to Kinship (Wyke 5).

Despite great opportunity that Caesar wields, Cassius is championing forces to halt Caesar’s ascendancy. Cassius aligns his team and convinces Brutus to be part of this plot. The opposition clout against Caesar thinks he will dominate Rome and subsequently institute tyranny under his watch. Brutus is fronted as the best candidate to face off with Caesar in a duel. Brutus is probably aware of the personal sacrifices and the patriotic commitments that Caesar has made to Rome. Brutus ignores calls to challenge Caesar, and affirms that the nation is greater that all individuals (Taylor 303). The conspirators plot to assassinate Caesar was taken aback by Brutus refusal to challenge Caesar. In the end, Caesar is killed thrashing the nation into panic.

Antony steals an opportunity to make a strong statement in a keynote speech during Caesar’s burial. He, particularly, registers his disgust to the traitors for the wrongs they have done both to Caesar and to the nation. His speech, according to Taylor (305), arouses the nation, making the citizens come out to the streets to protest Caesar’s killing. Antony’s remarks further point a finger at Brutus and Cassius who are jointly suspected to have a hand in the King’s assassination (Taylor 304).

Antony, nonetheless, betrays Brutus and Cassius who confide in him to keep their plot secret. Consequently, Brutus and Cassius flee the city while Antony gets the support of Octavius and Lepidus. Brutus and Cassius decide not to go back to Rome for there lays the wrath of the citizens in their actions. However, despite the title of the play, Brutus and Cassius suffice as the tragic characters due to their conspiracy for personal gains that plunge the country into abject civil war and utter desperation.

Julius Caesar is a replica of what happened in the Roman Empire. It is a confirmation of Shakespeare’s tendency to revise history through drama. In addition, it shows how conspiracy plays out in politics, and how death is the reward of all human ills. Brutus and Cassius commit suicide when they are aware that they can no longer subdue Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus whose firm grip on power is unwavering. Antony seems to have a brighter future in the yet to be established Rome. Despite its historic overtones, Julius Caesar is a tragedy of grand proportions.

Taylor, Myron. “Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the Irony of History.” Shakespeare Quarterly 24.3 (1973): 301–308. Print.

Wyke, Maria. Julius Caesar in western culture . Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2006. Print.

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The Assassination of Julius Caesar

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Veni, vidi, vici! This was the simple message the Roman commander Julius Caesar sent to the Senate in Rome after a resounding victory in the east against King Pharnaces of Pontus - a message that demonstrated both arrogance as well as great military competence. "I came, I saw, I conquered!" also represented his future as leader of the Roman Republic . Although praised at first for both his military skills and ability to lead, he gradually began to bring fear into the minds of many of those inside as well as outside the Senate. Finally, a plot arose; friends soon became enemies and a brutal death came to a dictator.

Military Success & Reforms

Gaius Julius Caesar had returned to Rome in triumph , hailed as a hero. During his time as a Roman general, he claimed to have killed almost two million people in fifty decisive battles. Although loved by the citizens of Rome, he caused, in many ways, worry among those in the Roman Senate - especially the old elite, the Optimates. The man who was soon to be hailed as dictator for life ( dictator perpetuo ) transferred his skill as a military commander into the ability to lead the Republic. Seeing the need and demonstrating that he truly loved the people of Rome, he decreed a number of significant and necessary reforms - reforms that further endeared him to the Roman citizenry. Always loyal to his army, one of his first endeavors was to offer land to seasoned veterans. Next, he gave grain to the urban poor and planned to move these same poor to the newly acquired colonies in Anatolia , Greece , and North Africa . He limited the terms of the provincial governors while increasing the size of the Senate. He created a new calendar (still in use today) and provided both gladiatorial games and banquets as entertainment. The city of Rome had suffered violence and corruption and was plagued by high unemployment. Caesar not only provided jobs through public work projects but also cleaned up the dangerous city streets. He even built a public library.

While these reforms made him popular among the commoners, they brought panic to many of his enemies and even some of his friends. To these men, their beloved republic no longer existed, especially after Caesar was named dictator for life in February 44 BCE - a completely unconstitutional act. They believed they no longer had a voice as Rome was quickly coming under the control of a would-be tyrant. Caesar's extreme arrogance and vanity (he was very self-conscious about his balding head, for example) offended many in the Roman Senate. This arrogance was most evident upon his victorious return to the city after the defeat of fellow Roman commander Gnaeus Pompey in Greece. Adorned in triumphant garments and a laurel crown - something many people saw as unnecessary - Caesar rode into the city. Wars in the east had been against foreigners, but his victory in Greece saw the deaths of what many considered as their own sons and daughters. One tribune Pontus Aquila even refused to rise as Caesar passed - something that angered the conquering hero.

Caesar's Honours & Perceived Arrogance

Despite the feelings of some, numerous honors were given him: he was awarded the titles of liberator and imperator; his birthday was made a public holiday; his birth month, Quinctilis, was renamed in his honor – Julius (July); and lastly, he was named both the father of his country as well as a consul for ten years. In all processions, an ivory statue of Caesar was to be carried alongside the statues of the Roman gods - and all this was done without objection from Caesar. This arrogance became increasingly more evident as time passed: he sat attired in the purple regalia of the ancient Roman kings on a specially built golden chair while attending the Senate, often refusing to rise out of respect to any member who approached him. Further, he constructed a private palace on Quirinal Hill. Even those who knew him best came to believe he was losing his judgment - something his friends said was due to being overworked, tired, and troubled by his epilepsy.

Although those around him suffered through his arrogance, others believed the conquering hero was becoming more of a divine figure than a ruler which was in stark contrast to many traditional Roman beliefs. It is to be remembered that the concept of an imperial cult was, as yet, several years in the future. Among friends, as well as enemies, there was a growing sense of animosity, questioning why the Senate allowed what appeared to them as blasphemy. Did Caesar actually believe he deserved this praise? To many, he appeared to be more of a king than a ruler, someone no longer answerable to both the people of Rome and the Senate.

This heightened sense of self-worth was best seen during the annual February festival of Lupercalia. The Roman commander and always loyal Mark Antony attempted to place a diadem - a wreathed laurel - on Caesar's head while the "king," adorned in the usual purple robe, was seated in the Forum on his gold throne, but Caesar pushed it away, refusing the gesture, stating that only Jupiter was the king of the Romans. Unfortunately, not everyone considered him to be sincere in his refusal. Many even believed he staged the entire event. Whether or not Caesar actually considered himself king, he always denied the title if called by it. The Roman orator and author Cicero - an individual who had supported Pompey and was known for his dislike for Caesar - said that this was the beginning of the end for Rome.

A Conspiracy Rises

The time had come to save the Republic from this would-be king, and thereby a conspiracy was borne. However, a plot not to just overthrow but to kill Caesar was a dangerous mission. Who would dare plan to kill the dictator for life of the Roman Republic, knowing if they failed, they would be branded as traitors? Of course, there were the usual, old enemies of Caesar - friends and supporters of Pompey who sought both high office and profit. Next, there were those who many believed were friends of Caesar, people who, while being rewarded for their loyalty, disliked many of his policies, especially his hesitance to overthrow the old, conservative Optimates. Further, they disapproved of his peace-making attempts with Pompey's supporters. And lastly, there were the idealists - those who respected the Republic and its ancient traditions. Individually, their reasons varied, but together, they believed the salvation of the republic depended on the death of Caesar.

The Ringleaders

The four leading men of the conspiracy were an unusual mix of both friends and enemies. The first two men believed they had not been rewarded substantially enough for their service to Caesar: Gaius Trebonius served as a praetor and consul and had fought with Caesar; Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus was governor of Gaul and had been victorious against the Gauls. The next two conspirators were obviously not friends of Caesar: Gaius Cassius Longinus who had served with both Crassus and Pompey as a naval commander and who some believe conceived the plot (Caesar certainly did not trust him), and lastly, the greedy and arrogant Marcus Junius Brutus who had also served under Pompey and who was the brother-in- law of Cassius.

Brutus was the son of Caesar's mistress Servilia (some mistakenly believed he was Caesar's son) and married to the Roman orator Cato's daughter Portia. Marcus Porcius Cato (or Cato the Younger ), a strong supporter of Pompey and outspoken critic of Caesar, had committed suicide in 46 BCE while in North Africa. He had refused to surrender to Caesar after the commander's victory at Thapsus. After Cato's death, both Cicero and Brutus wrote eulogies in praise of the fallen Roman. To Cicero Cato was the height of Roman virtue, a statement that angered Caesar. Despite all of this, Caesar believed in Brutus, forgave him, and supported him for a position as a praetor, which was a stepping stone to a consulship. There were other conspirators of course: Publius Servilius Casca, a tribune, who would strike the first blow against Caesar; Gaius Servilius Casca (his brother) who supposedly struck the final blow in the dictator's ribs; and lastly, Lucius Tillius Cimber, governor of Bithynia, who signaled the start of the attack. To these men, power had to be, at any cost, wrested from Caesar and returned to the Roman Senate.

Brutus believed there was considerable support for Caesar's assassination. These men met together secretly, in small groups to avoid detection. Luckily for the conspirators, Caesar had dismissed his Spanish bodyguard in October of 45 BCE, believing no one would dare attack him. The conspirators realized the attack had to be soon and swift as Caesar was making plans to lead his army on a three-year campaign against the Parthians, leaving on March 18. But where and when should they strike? Should they attack as Caesar rode on the highway the Appian Way or in a public place; could they attack while he was walking home on the Via Sacra (the Sacred Way); could they attack while he attended gladiatorial games? After considerable debate, the final decision was to strike during a session of the Senate at the Theater of Pompey (the regular Roman Senate was being repaired) on March 15, 44 BCE, the Ides of March. The attackers had chosen their weapon of choice wisely - a double-edged dagger or pugio of about eight inches long instead of a sword. Daggers were better for close contact and could be hidden under their togas.

If one believes in omens, there were a number of reasons for Caesar not to attend the Senate meeting that day. First, Caesar's horses that were grazing on the banks of the Rubicon were seen to weep. Next, a bird flew into the Theater of Pompey with a sprig of laurel but was quickly devoured by a larger bird. Caesar's wife, Calpurnia had a dream of him bleeding to death in her arms. And lastly, a soothsayer named Spurinna warned him to beware of danger no later than the Ides of March. Unfortunately, Caesar put little faith in omens. The historian Suetonius wrote, "These warnings, and a touch of ill-health, made him hesitate for some time whether to go ahead with his plans or whether to postpone the meeting." On the day of his death Caesar was truly sick and, as Suetonius said, hesitant about attending the meeting of the Senate, but the conspirator Decimus arrived at his home and urged him to not disappoint those waiting for him.

A large crowd accompanied Caesar on his way to the Senate. Just as he entered the theater a man named Artemidorus tried to warn him of imminent danger by thrusting a small scroll into his hand, but Caesar ignored it. The dictator entered and sat on his throne. Mark Antony , who had accompanied Caesar, was conveniently delayed outside by Trebonius, as planned. In the theater, there were 200 senators in attendance along with ten tribunes and a number of slaves and secretaries. Cimber approached the unsuspecting Caesar and handed him a petition on behalf of his exiled brother; Caesar, of course, did not rise to greet him. Cimber grabbed at Caesar's toga and pulled it back. Caesar reportedly said, "Why, this is violence?" Casca dealt the first blow with his knife; Caesar immediately tried to defend himself by raising his hands to cover his face. The remaining conspirators surrounded the shocked Caesar - Cassius struck him in the face, Decimus to the ribs. Caesar collapsed, dead, ironically at the foot of a statue of his old enemy Pompey. In all there were twenty-three blows. Suetonius described the attack:

… at that moment one of the Casca brothers slipped behind and with a sweep of his dagger stabbed him just below the throat. Caesar grasped Casca's arm and ran it through with a stylus; he was leaping away when another dagger caught him in the breast.

Despite the beautiful words of William Shakespeare, Caesar did not say " Et tu, Brute! " (You, too, Brutus!) as Brutus plunged his dagger into the dying dictator but “You, too, my child!” The remaining senators in attendance ran from the theater. Afterwards, Rome was in a state of confusion. Suetonius wrote that there were some, those who disliked Caesar, who wanted to seize the slain leader's corpse and throw it into the Tiber, confiscate his property, and revoke his laws; however, Mark Antony maintained a cool head and stopped any such plans.

While the conspiracy had all the makings of a great plan, little attempt was made to prepare for afterwards. The conspirators made their way to Capitoline Hill and the Temple of Jupiter. Brutus spoke from a platform at the foot of the hill, trying in vain to calm the crowd. Meanwhile, slaves carried Caesar's body through the streets to his home; people wept as it passed. The funeral procession on March 20 was a spectacle unlike the one portrayed by Shakespeare, although Antony did give a short eulogy. A pyre had been built on the Field of Mars near the family tomb ; however, Caesar's body was quickly seized by locals and taken to the Forum where it was burned on a much simpler pyre. The ashes were returned to the Field of Mars and his family tomb; the city continued to mourn. In his The Twelve Caesars Suetonius wrote that Caesar may have been aware of the plot against him and because of ill-health knowingly exposed himself to the assault. "Almost all authorities, at any rate, believe that he welcomed the manner of his death…he loathed the prospect of a lingering end - he wanted a sudden one."

Brutus believed the death of Caesar would bring a return of the old Roman spirit; unfortunately, the city was in shock, and people became increasingly more hostile. On March 17 the Senate sought a compromise with the urging of Mark Antony: While the laws of Caesar would remain intact, there would be amnesty for the conspirators. Unfortunately, peace was impossible and the conspirators fled Rome and would all ultimately meet their end. Suetonius ended his chapter on the slain leader, "All were condemned to death … and all met it in different ways - some in shipwreck, some in battle , some using the very daggers with which they had treacherously murdered Caesar to take their own lives." For Rome, the young Octavian , the adopted son of Caesar, received not only his war chest but also the support of the army. A final conflict between Mark Antony (with the help of Cleopatra ) and Octavian would bring Octavian to power as Augustus , the first emperor of the Roman Empire .

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Bibliography

• Dennison, M. The Twelve Caesars. St. Martin's Griffin, 2012.
• Freeman, P. Julius Caesar. Simon & Schuster, 2008.
• Sommer, M. The Complete Roman Emperor. Thames & Hudson, 2010.
• Strauss, B. Masters of Command. Simon & Schuster, 2013.
• Strauss, B. The Death of Caesar. Simon & Schuster, 2015.
• Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars. Penguin Classics.

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Wasson, D. L. (2015, May 15). The Assassination of Julius Caesar . World History Encyclopedia . Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/803/the-assassination-of-julius-caesar/

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Wasson, Donald L.. " The Assassination of Julius Caesar ." World History Encyclopedia . Last modified May 15, 2015. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/803/the-assassination-of-julius-caesar/.

Wasson, Donald L.. " The Assassination of Julius Caesar ." World History Encyclopedia . World History Encyclopedia, 15 May 2015. Web. 07 Sep 2024.

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How Julius Caesar’s Assassination Triggered the Fall of the Roman Republic

By: Christopher Klein

Updated: August 23, 2023 | Original: September 1, 2021

By the time Julius Caesar stepped in front of the Roman Senate on the Ides of March in 44 B.C., the nearly 500-year-old Roman Republic had been ailing for years. Wealth inequality, political gridlock and civil wars had all weakened the republic in the century prior to Caesar’s ascension to power.

Caesar’s increasingly autocratic reign further threatened the republic. He bypassed the Senate on important matters, controlled the treasury and earned the personal loyalty of the republic’s army by pledging to give retiring soldiers property from public land or use his personal fortune to buy it himself, according to Edward Watts, author of Mortal Republic: How Rome Fell Into Tyranny . He emblazoned his image on coins and reserved the right to accept or reject election results for lower offices. As Caesar transacted public business from a gold-and-ivory throne, rumors swirled that he would declare himself king.

In the first weeks of 44 B.C., Caesar was proclaimed “dictator for life.” His life, though, wouldn’t last much longer.

Fearful that the concentration of absolute power in a single man threatened the republic’s democratic institutions, dozens of senators who called themselves the “Liberators” plotted to kill the dictator. On March 15 in 44 B.C., Caesar was stabbed 23 times by conspirators who believed themselves to be saviors of liberty and democracy. Instead, the daggers they thrust into Caesar dealt a fatal blow to the already wounded Roman Republic.

Caesar’s Assassination Unleashes a Brutal Fight for Power

One of the assassination’s leading planners, Marcus Junius Brutus , had prepared to deliver a speech celebrating the Roman Republic’s restoration right after Caesar’s murder. He was shocked to find that outrage, rather than praise, greeted news of the dictator’s killing. If Caesar had been an autocrat, the lower and middle classes didn’t seem to mind as they benefitted from his radical reforms such as the cancellation of debts and adjustment of the tax code.

Instead of stabilizing the Roman Republic, the assassination plunged it into another civil war as Caesar’s supporters battled the assassins and then each other. Although former deputy Mark Antony positioned himself as Caesar’s rightful successor by delivering a powerful funeral oration, the slain ruler had pre-empted that outcome. In his will, Caesar had named his sickly, 18-year-old great-nephew Octavian as his primary heir and provided for his adoption.

Octavian quickly amassed a private army and outbid Antony for the support of several legions. The forces of the two competing leaders clashed until Octavian and Antony called a truce and agreed to share power with another of Caesar’s former deputies, Lepidus, in the Second Triumvirate. “He was a cunning, ruthless politician who knew how to play both sides,” Barry Strauss, author of Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine , says of Octavian.

Ancient Empires

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Mary Beard, author of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome , writes that the triumvirate’s main achievement was a “new round of mass murder.” Octavian and Antony brutally purged the republic’s leadership by killing their enemies and potential rivals. After speaking ill of Antony, Cicero was killed by soldiers loyal to Caesar’s deputy, and his head and right hand were placed on display in the Roman Forum. Avenging Caesar’s murder, Octavian and Antony collaborated to defeat the forces of assassination plot leaders Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus in 42 B.C. at Philippi in northern Greece. Tens of thousands died in the bloody battle, and the defeated Brutus and Cassius each committed suicide .

The triumvirate eventually turned on each other. Octavian forced Lepidus into exile and took up arms against Antony, whose affair with Egyptian ruler Cleopatra VII damaged his reputation in Rome and humiliated his wife, who was Octavian’s sister. Octavian positioned himself as the sole defender of Rome from the eastern influence of Egypt, and his navy defeated the combined fleet of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in northern Greece in 31 B.C. after which Antony and Cleopatra each took their own lives .

Julius Caesar’s Forgotten Assassin

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5 Things You Might Not Know About Julius Caesar

Find out five fascinating facts about the man who famously proclaimed “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

8 Reasons Why Rome Fell

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Augustus Establishes the Roman Empire

Having eliminated his rivals and seen the support given to Caesar by the masses, Octavian established absolute rule over the former republic and surpassed the power of his great-uncle. He approved of all candidates standing for election, while the powerless Senate rubber-stamped his decisions. By providing for soldiers’ retirements, he ensured their personal loyalty to him. Citizens in towns across Italy and the western Mediterranean were compelled to swear their personal loyalty to Octavian. Throughout Roman territories, coins, statues and even silverware bore his image.

The Senate in 27 B.C. bestowed the title “Augustus” upon Octavian, which according to Roman historian Cassius Dio signified “that he was more than human.” Augustus ruled as Rome’s first emperor —although he never took that title for himself. “He was a very shrewd politician," Strauss says. “He had a lot of tricks, and one of them was to pretend that what was happening wasn’t really happening. He said that he restored the republic and never used the terms dictator or king, instead calling himself Rome’s ‘first citizen.’”

When a crisis of flooding, famine and plague besieged Rome in 22 B.C., citizens did not agitate for a restoration of the republic, but instead locked up a group of senators and threatened to burn them alive if Augustus was not named dictator. They believed that Augustus alone could save them. The freedom they sought was one from war, hunger and chaos.

Reigning for nearly a half-century, Augustus became the longest-serving ruler in Roman history and ushered in two centuries of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana. By establishing the Roman Empire, Augustus completed the task his adopted father had started. “It’s a great irony,” Strauss says of those who plotted Caesar’s murder. “They thought they were liberating Rome, but instead they put the nail in the coffin of the free republic.

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Julius Caesar

By william shakespeare, julius caesar study guide.

The only authoritative edition of Julius Caesar is the 1623 First Folio, which appears to have used the theater company's official promptbook rather than Shakespeare's manuscript. Some anomalies exist, most notably in Act Four where there is confusion concerning the parts of the minor characters. Also, in writings from 1614 and 1625, Shakespeare's contemporary Ben Jonson makes fun of a line from 3.1 where Caesar says, "Know Caesar doth not wrong but with just cause." The First Folio omits the final four words, yet the fact that Jonson was writing in 1625 appears to indicate that the words may have been used in productions of the play even after the publication of the First Folio. The Oxford edition chose to add the four words back into the play, arguing that the apparent contradiction helps to more fully portray Caesar's characteristic god-like aspirations.

Julius Caesar opens in 44 B.C., at a time when Rome ruled territories stretching from as far north as Britain to as far east as Persia. However, Rome's military success had come at a serious cost to the political situation in the home city, which was governed by a senate. Rome's senators became increasingly factionalized causing internal disarray, which allowed the more successful military generals to gain power. Furthermore, the state suffered from class divisions, and the plebeians had managed to win the right to elect "tribunes," or representatives, giving them some political power. However, women and most of the plebeian men remained excluded from this franchise. Thus, although the republic showed some signs of democracy, the majority did not participate in the general politics.

Several men attempted to take over the government during this tumultuous period, most failing in the endeavor. Julius Caesar was a Roman general who had made a name for himself through his successful campaigning of northwest Europe. His advantage lay not only in winning battles, but also in his popularity among the poorer classes in Rome. He possessed innate talent, charisma, ambition, and luck, which, when combined, allowed his political power to increase. Supporters of the traditional form of government realized that men like Caesar posed a serious threat to the republic, and when legal and military attempts failed to stop him, conspirators led by Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus assassinated him.

The death of Caesar undermined the very political institution it was meant to defend. Rome was soon split by civil war, and the armies of the conspirators were defeated by Caesar's friend Mark Antony and his heir, Octavius. The culmination of these events was the defeat of the senate and the installment of Octavius as emperor Augustus.

Contemporaries of Caesar quickly grasped the importance of these events, documenting them well. Throughout the centuries since, the events of Caeser's time have been interpreted and discussed at length, and continue to be alluded to even in present day politics. Political commentators have interpreted the actions of the main figures differently. For example, Michelangelo viewed Brutus as a defender of human liberty, while Dante placed him (and Cassius) into the deepest circle of hell in his Inferno. For Shakespeare, this historical drama presented numerous possibilities for analyzing and exploring conflicting perspectives of these events, and thus was a logical choice for one of his plays.

The story of Caesar's death and the resulting political upheaval was especially salient in Shakespeare's time. The play is thought to have been written in 1599, when Queen Elizabeth was sixty-six years old. Europe and England were ruled by monarchs struggling to consolidate their power. In England, the monarchy ran into opposition from the established aristocracy and elected representatives in the House of Commons. Since Elizabeth had no direct heirs, many feared England might decay into civil chaos similar to that of the fifteenth century. Fear of censorship prevailed in matters relating to political discourse, and so for Shakespeare, the story of Julius Caesar provided a safe way to comment on many of the important questions of the time.

Shakespeare's main source in writing the play was Thomas North's English translation of Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans. Plutarch wrote in the first century A.D. and recorded his biographies as an historian. His description of the Roman Republic stated that it was ruled by at least one or more powerful men, yet rarely more than a few men. Shakespeare adopts this concept of Rome for Julius Caesar, focusing on the actions and influences of a few remarkable individuals rather than dealing with larger social movements. However, this approach does not imply a limited awareness of Rome's social problems, as the play's opening scenes clearly address Rome's social divisions.

Shakespeare condenses the action in Julius Caesar as in many of his historical dramas, breaking slightly from historical accuracy. For example, Shakespeare places Caesar's triumph over Pompey's sons with the Lupercalia in February, whereas Plutarch indicates the victory took place in October. With this time change, the assassination on the Ides of March appears to be in response to Caesar's growing influence and arrogance. Furthermore, in Shakespeare's version, Brutus and Cassius flee from Rome immediately after Antony's speech to the Roman mob, but Plutarch describes them withdrawing from the city over a year after Caesar's funeral. These differences cause Roman leaders' personal flaws and strengths to appear far more important in shaping the action of the plot.

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is composed of several characters, none of whom dominate the plot; even the titular hero is merely one of the several personalities in the play. Indeed, Shakespeare creates only a limited depth to Caesar's characterization, mainly relying on the negative reports from those most hostile to him. However, when onstage, Caesar does not live up the reputation his enemies claim for him, thereby undermining his ability to dominate the plot at any point.

Brutus is a much fuller character. As the friend and murderer of Caesar, he provides tremendous insight into his personality through soliloquies in which he discusses his motives and the consequences of his actions. Brutus also is portrayed in many different roles, including husband, military leader and assassin. These different roles allow us to see the internal strife inherent in Brutus' character; he is a man who must justify his extralegal murder while simultaneously remaining a faithful and good husband.

In Julius Caesar , Shakespeare uses one of his great techniques, often called "gradual release," slowly providing pertinent plot information as the play progresses, forcing the audience to continually revise its interpretation of the action. A good example of this is when Antony climaxes his famous eulogy by reading Caesar's will and speaking of the generosity Caesar has shown to the common people, mentioning that Caesar has left them all some money. However, only two scenes later we see him trying to minimize the cost of this generosity by reducing the amount of money that needs to be given out. The combination of the two scenes forces the audience to reevaluate everything we know about Antony, and denies us the ability to fix firm motives on any of the play's characters.

Shakespeare never intended the play to be historically accurate. In fact, he clearly expected the actors to appear in Elizabethan dress. Furthermore, he gives Rome the medieval invention of the mechanical clock, a notorious anachronism. However, Shakespeare's Romans share a distinct cultural heritage and society, including Roman society's implicit ideals and assumptions. When Antony calls Brutus, "the noblest of the Romans," he is referring to the specific "Roman" virtue, associated with the Republican government Brutus dies defending. The protagonists in the plot are never able to overcome the pressure of the Roman values, and thus are not completely free to invent themselves, relying instead on the cultural values provided.

Julius Caesar Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Julius Caesar is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Julius Caesar Act 2

Brutus decides to join the conspiracy to murder Caesar. Brutus thinks Caesar will become too powerful if he is crowned and Rome will suffer for it.

Thematic analysis of Julius Caesar

This really depends on what specific theme you are referring to. Please check out the themes page below to explore different themes.

https://www.gradesaver.com/julius-caesar/study-guide/themes

17. Who had his birthday in the play? a. Cassius c. Caesar b. Antony d. Brutus

Study Guide for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Julius Caesar
• Julius Caesar Summary
• Julius Caesar Video
• Character List

Essays for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Julius Caesar.

• The Gender Transformation of Caesar
• Classification of the Main Characters of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• Shakespeare's Presentation of the Character of Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar'
• Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 1: A lesson is dramatic effectiveness
• Self-Deluded Characters in Julius Caesar

Lesson Plan for Julius Caesar

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Julius Caesar
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Julius Caesar Bibliography

E-Text of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar E-Text contains the full text of Julius Caesar

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Julius Caesar

• Introduction

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is the controlling idea in a medium of writing..

• Standardized testing may reduce learning because it discourages risk-taking.
• Reading Hamlet as "insane," and therefore as having hallucinated his father's ghost, completely redefines how we interpret the play's ultimate theme.
• Social media overuse may increase depression among users because social media, as a platform, immerses users into a comparative culture.

Statement of Purpose:

In this paper I will argue that standardized testing, used improperly, reduces learning. To do so I will show that an effective education requires 1). student buy-in, 2). real-world application, and 3). a sort of "educational risk-taking," i.e. a curriculum that encourages thinking outside the learning box rather than teaching to a standard.

Through a psychoanalytical reading of Hamlet as "insane," and therefore as having hallucinated his father's ghost, I posit that Shakespeare's classic play explores themes of 1). perception, 2). rational, 3). manipulation, and 4). consciousness.

• This paper will attempt two arguments. First, that a culture of comparison—in person or online—often leads to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction. Second, that social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are programmed to immerse users into such a culture, and should therefore be regulated, at least at the personal level.

Question thesis:

• What impact, if any, does "standardized testing" actually have on education? Is it merely a tool for assessment? Or does it become a detriment to learning?
• But what if we read Hamlet's character as neither rational nor sane? If Hamlet only hallucinated his father's ghost, how does that impact the way we read the rest of the play?
• In spite of its enormous popularity, what are some of the consequences of, say, social media use on teenage mental health? Is social media a 'new scourge,' as Jane Smith argues, or simply a tool for connecting grandma with her favorite grandchild?

Delayed Thesis:

Intro : What impact, if any, does "standardized testing" actually have on education? Is it merely a tool for assessment? Or does it become a detriment to learning?

Conclusion : Thus we see, standardized testing may reduce learning insofar as it discourages risk-taking.

Too Broad, Too Narrow

Here's an example of a broad and ineffective thesis:

• Julius Caesar had an important influence on history.

The concept of this thesis is obstructed by several generic words: important, influence, and history. Important influence could refer to how Caesar became a dictator and brought about a civil war, but it could just as likely describe how he solidified the Roman Republic, laying the groundwork for Rome to rise as an empire. The first step to clarifying this thesis is to figure out the main point it wants to bring out, which can often be accomplished by asking questions about your thesis

Returning to the phrase "important influence," what might that specifically mean? Let’s take the reference to Caesar becoming a dictator. What, exactly, about his process to becoming a dictator is important? And, how does it influence history?

By asking questions like these, intended to narrow the thesis, we come to this example below:

• Julius Caesar’s aggressive leadership at the Battle of Alesia led to his establishment as a dictator.

A strong thesis statement often employs concrete words, which reference explicit ideas. Words like Julius Caesar, aggressive, establishment, and dictator are specific enough to keep your reader from getting confused.

Keep in mind that, though pulling out specifics will solve most issues with vagueness, they might exacerbate issues when there’s a convoluted and complex thesis, especially when that thesis has a lot of qualifiers. Typically, an effective way to clarify a dense thesis is to identify the core idea and set it by itself. After identifying the main idea, identify all the qualifying information used to modify the thesis. How much of it is necessary to begin with? Can some of it be addressed later on?

Though not always an appropriate strategy, sometimes reducing initial complexity will increase clarity.

Are you ready to meet with a Writing Center Consultant? Here are some questions we can help you with:

• Does my thesis effectively explain my argument?
• Is there a disconnect between my thesis and the content of my paper?
• Could my thesis be more clear or concise?
• Should I adapt my thesis statement because of new research I’ve found?
• Thesis Statements Quick Reference- https://rwc.prod.brigham-young.psdops.com/00000188-e4bc-d222-a7ea-eefd82000000/thesis-statement-pdf
• Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements- https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
• Tips and Tools for Thesis Statements- https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/

Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare

Discussion Topic

Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Brutus is a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar because he possesses noble qualities and a strong sense of honor but is ultimately flawed by his naivety and idealism. His decision to join the conspiracy against Caesar stems from his belief in the greater good, yet this leads to his downfall as he underestimates the consequences and manipulations of others.

characters: Brutus

literary devices: Irony

themes: Tragic Hero

Expert Answers

Who are the experts? Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.

Educator since 2016

239 answers

A recent graduate of the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, my background is mainly in writing and editing.

What would be a compelling attention-getter for a paper on Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

You could focus on the irony and contradiction in Brutus’s character and fate. Cassius steers Brutus into conspiring to assassinate Julius Caesar , who would not suspect Brutus’s involvement: “Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus.” Cassius sees that Brutus can be manipulated both in spite of and because of his nobility. He flatters Brutus and appeals to his sense of equality. For his ideals, Brutus justifies murdering his closest friend, harming both himself and others: “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome.” He cares about people enough to kill one.

Another contradiction is that Brutus is a natural leader who does not believe any one person should rule. In spite of Caesar’s death being Cassius’s brainchild, Brutus often takes control of the situation. He contradicts and undermines Cassius multiple times in front of other conspirators. Brutus addresses the senators in his house and describes at length the moral reasons for Caesar’s death. When Decius and Cassius suggest killing Mark Antony as well, Brutus shuts them down: “Our course will seem too bloody.” Later, Brutus grants Antony permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral, without consulting the other conspirators. Cassius argues that “the people may be moved / By that which he will utter,” but Brutus is not persuaded.

This reveals yet another irony in Brutus’s nature and actions. His leniency leads to civil war. Brutus allows Antony to live and even speak to the public, two decisions that seal the conspirators’ fates. The crowd turns on them, and Antony and Octavius wage war against Brutus and Cassius. Brutus’s honor leads him to commit murder, but it also prevents him from fully carrying out the coup. In the end, Brutus’s whole purpose is thwarted: he killed Caesar to prevent Rome from transforming from a republic into a monarchy, but, after Brutus dies, Octavius Caesar will turn Rome into an empire that would last for centuries.

Further Reading

• http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/full.html

Cite this page as follows:

Matteson, Noelle. "Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 17 May 2016, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

College Professor

B.A. from Hollins University M.F.A. from Eastern Washington University Ph.D. from University of Missouri-St Louis

Educator since 2011

7,025 answers

Professor of English.

A good quotation with which to start your paper on Brutus as the tragic hero of William Shakespeare 's 'Julius Caesar' is with Marc Anthony's epitaph: 'This was the noblest Roman of them all.' Of the conspirators, only Brutus acted out of unmixed philosophical ideals. What makes this such a tragic circumstance is that Brutus and Caesar genuinely cared for one another, but Brutus felt that because Caesar would be a good tyrant, he would cause tyranny to become firmly entrenched in Rome, and thus, paradoxically, Brutus murdered Caesar because of his good qualities. This opening quotation allows you to move on to discuss the nobility of Brutus, one of the major themes of the play.

Wofford, Lynnette. "Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 8 Feb. 2012, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

Educator since 2009

13,704 answers

I taught English, social sciences, and education at the college level from 2005 to 2008.

What's a good thesis statement for Brutus as the tragic hero in Julius Caesar?

You will need to think through the character of Brutus, and in particular his motives for wanting to depose Caesar. There are many different ways of viewing his character, but one valid approach is to explore the way that Brutus is actually tremendously naive. He has lofty motives for deposing Caesar, but his innocence and naivety makes him easy prey for the flattering tongue of Cassius. He is used by the plotters to gain credibility for their less-than-noble actions yet he remains unaware of the way that he is being used. He believes all the while that he himself is trying to do what is right for Rome, but we as the audience cannot help seeing another more questionable agenda at work. Brutus, like Caesar before him, is prone to the same power-hungry tendencies of anyone given such unlimited control and might. Thus a good thesis statement might be:

Brutus is the tragic hero of this play because of his naivety and innocence, both in regard to other people and himself.

This would allow you to explore the differing approaches I have outlined above and will make for an interesting essay . Good luck!

Hathaway, John. "Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 12 Apr. 2011, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

Teacher (K-12), Editor

M.A. from The University of Alabama

Educator since 2008

16,104 answers

I have taught English and French at the college level. I take great delight in reading and writing about literature.

What would be a good thesis statement for an essay on Julius Caesar?

Are you writing an essay about the entire play?  If so, you may wish to select a theme and make a judgment about this theme or one of the motifs.  Your support will need to come from various acts of the play, of course.  For example, you may wish to examine how the motif of ambition is developed. For this thesis you can use Marc Antony's remark in his funeral oration as a motivator:  "Ambition should be made of sterner stuff."  For, this line is ironic since Brutus, and especially Cassius who is so ambitious are not of the "sternest stuff" and are defeated by Antony and Octavius.  Your thesis, then, can state that it is for his ambition that Brutus believes Caesar dangerous, but the conspirators prove to be even more ambitious and it is this ambition that is also their demise.

Click on the site below for ideas on themes of this play.

Or, perhaps you wish to analyze a character. There has always been great debate on who is the tragic character in this play.  But, many feel Brutus is, and you can glean some good ideas from the site below on this opinion.  So, for your thesis  you can state that Brutus is the tragic hero in "Julius Caesar" because he is of noble stature and has noble ideals, but he makes a tragic mistake for which he pays tragic consequences.

"Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 30 Apr. 2009, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

What would be a good thesis statement describing Brutus as the tragic hero of Julius Caesar?

A thesis statement is a sentence expressing the central claim of your paper. The problem here is not that you are struggling to formulate a thesis "statement" but rather that you haven't yet developed a thesis to be stated. A thesis is a point that you are arguing. Since Brutus is widely acknowledged to be the tragic hero of Julius Caesar , it does not need to be argued; you should look for a thesis which would either need to be supported or which which illuminate some new aspect of the play for a reader. 

The reason the Brutus is widely acknowledge to be the hero of the play is twofold. First, there is no one else who fits the role. Caesar dies early, Mark Antony and Octavian are the antagonists, and Cassius is a morally dubious character. 

Brutus himself has the standard characteristics of the tragic hero as described in Aristotle's Poetics . He is of noble background and character, he has moral stature, and he is engaged in actions of a certain greatness or seriousness. His major flaw is that he does not realize the duplicity of others readily and is perhaps too wedded to an uncompromising ideology, not realizing that Caesar's death would fail to restore the Republic. Because of his strength of moral character, we feel fear and pity at his downfall.

A possible thesis about Brutus might be that "the way that Brutus' participation in assassination of Caesar leads to his replacement by an even more authoritarian dictator shows that an ethical system focused on desired outcomes leads to morally questionable acts with unintended consequences."

Wofford, Lynnette. "Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 22 Mar. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

Teacher (K-12)

1,969 answers

High school teacher. 1996--B.S. 2002--M.Ed. 2006--AP English Language and Composition Certification; 2007--National Board for Teaching Professionals Certification in Young Adult Language Arts

For a character to be considered a tragic hero he must possesses several qualities--he must be a person in a noble position (Brutus is a highly respected Senator from a famous Roman family); he must fall from that noble position (obviously, Brutus experiences the ultimate downfall); he must have a tragic flaw which results in his downfall (think about what personality trait Brutus possesses that leads to his death at the end of the play); and he must experience a tragic realization (this normally occurs right before the tragic hero's death; so think about Brutus realizes before he chooses to die).

Keeping those characteristics in mind for your body paragraphs, your thesis should discuss Brutus's high position and his downfall. Consider his noble goals (regarding killing Caesar) and what ultimately ends up happening to those goals.

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Rose, McKinstry. "Examining Brutus as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" edited by eNotes Editorial, 23 Apr. 2010, https://www.enotes.com/topics/julius-caesar/questions/examining-brutus-as-a-tragic-hero-in-shakespeare-3132870.

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