This year in English, we have studied many different characters. We have
studied the works from Ancient Greece, England, about King Arthur, and of Oedipus, just to name a few. One type of character we have studied throughout
this year is the tragic hero. This character starts high, and falls low due to a tragic
flaw. Throughout historical liturature, a person can find these tragic heros. In the
play “Julius Casar” (written by William Shakespeare) Caesar’s lust for power,
Cassius’ jealousy, and Brutus’ loyalty to Rome turned these three men into the
typical tragic hero.
Caesar was what many would call a man of the people. He was originally a
war general, and then made dictator of life by the Romans. This was where he
met his tragic end. Even with the title of “Dictator for Life,” he was not content. On thing that he did try to do to rule Rome was to have Pompey killed. Pompey
still was to become the king of Rome. He also wished to have a son so that he
could have a ruling monarchy. Much to his disappointment, Calpurnia, his wife, was unable to give him children. This greed was his tragic flaw. Caesar’s fall was not losing his powerful position in Rome. Caesar’s flaw caused him to lose his life.
Cassius was bitterly jealous of Caesar’s power. This quote: “I was born
free as Casar; so were you. We both have fed as well, and we can both endure
The Essay on Julius Caesar Rome Tragic Flaw
Julius Caesar In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, the literary element of the tragic hero is evident. In general, a tragic hero must meet several important qualifications. He must come from a good background and have high social status, he must have a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall, and this flaw must be punished either by death or banishment. In this portrayal of the history of ...
the winter’s cold as well as he.” (Shakespeare 385), shows his resentment to
Caesar’s power. Cassius would often point out that Caesar was as ordinary as any
other man, and not a god. He once pointed out to Brutus how he had once pulled
Caesar from the Tiber’s waters. This was one way of Cassius showing Brutus how
physically weak Caesar was. Cassius’ jealousy finally took the better half of him.
At that time, Cassius began to plot, and turn others, against Caesar. This jealousy
ended in guilt, which finally led Cassuis to his own death. Jealousy was Cassius’
tragic flaw.
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (Shakespeare
421).
Brutus was truely a good man. He was on of the most trusted men in
Rome, and learned how to love his country from his ancestors. Brutus, though
kind, and thoughtful, was loyal to a fault. He was unable to see the bad in others,
and made quite a few bad decisions due to that. From fake letters, created by
Cassius, and the pressure from his ancestors reputation, Brutus made a choice. He
put everything he had on the line for the good of his country. His friends, his
family, and his reputation were sacrificed for the good of Rome. He joined the
conspirators, and help to plot against, and murder, Caesar. Loyalty was Brutus
tragic flaw. He was so loyal, he could not see the evil in others, and in the end, his
loyalty cost him his life.
In the many stories we have covered this year, the one of Julius Caesar was
the most tragic. The flaws found in Caesar, Cassius, and Brutus caused many
deaths besides their own. The scariest thing, is that these same flaws exist in our
world today. The civil wars in our world are caused by greed, jealousy, and
loyalty. One day, we will all probably find a time where these three flaws could
affect us. “Et tu Brute. Then fall, Caesar.” (Shakespeare 414).
