Julius Caesar As A Tragic Hero 2

Essay, Research Paper

Julius Caesar As A Tragic Hero

In Julius Caesar William Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank, by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his downfall, and by showing that Caesar accepted his fate of death & achieved honor and respect in his death. There is a contradiction between who the main tragic hero of Julius Caesar is. Can there possibly be 2 main tragic heroes in one book? If Julius Caesar wasn t the main tragic hero of the book then why is the book named after him?

Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a noble man of high rank. Every Roman followed his leadership and Caesar also defeated the great Pompey. First of all, At the Feast of Lupercal Caesar manipulated the commoners and made himself look noble to the commoners. Casca said, Why there was a crown offered to him;…people fell a-shouting (I,ii,221-223). Next, To show how noble and great Caesar was, the Romans would stand along the street sides to watch him pass by. Madam not yet, I go to take my stand; /To see him pass on to the Capitol, said the soothsayer (II,iv,25-26). Finally, Caesar had the greatest rank possible as he would have been crowned king if it wasn t for the conspiracy s plot. As Casca said, Indeed they say senators tomorrow; /Mean to establish Caesar as king… (I,iii,87-88).

Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his death. Julius Caesar took over most of the Roman Empire and his events are very important to history. First, Julius Caesar is very historical because if he wasn t then, we would not be talking about him today. As Cassius ironically said, …How many ages hence /Shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn… (III,i,112-113). Secondly, Every tragic hero has a tragic flaw that leads them to their death and one of Julius Caesar s flaw was arrogance. As Caesar himself said, But I am constant as Northern Star…/There is no fellow in the firmament (III,i,60-62). Finally, Caesar made a big mistake which lead him to his downfall when he didn t take the soothsayer s warning. Again this was the fact that Caesar was arrogant. The soothsayer said warning Caesar, Beware of ides of March (I,ii,23) then Caesar replied that the soothsayer was a fake, and to dismiss him.

Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that Caesar accepted his fate for death & he achieved honor and respect in his death. Caesar knew he was going to die sooner or later so he eventually had to accept his fate for it. First, Caesar walked to the Capitol knowing the soothsayer s warning accepting his fate for whatever was to happen. As Cassius said, What urge your petitioned in street? Come to the Capitol (III,i,10). Caesar was very well respected in his death because he was given a respected funeral. Brutus said, Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar a body, /You shall not in your funeral speech blame us… (III,i,245-246). Caesar did not only receive a respected funeral but he also received a respected speech from the most noble Brutus and his nephew Antony. Brutus said, By your pardon I will myself into pulpit first,…What Antony speaks, I will potest… (III,i,237-240).

Julius Caesar fit all the characteristics of a tragic hero. He only didn t fit into one which Brutus did and that was for the tragic hero to die at the end of the play. Who really is the main tragic hero? It must have been Julius Caesar because not only did he fit into all the main categories of a tragic hero but the story is named after him. Brutus would have been the main hero if the story was titled Brutus.