Brutus: A Tragic Hero William Shakespeare's tragedy of Julius Caesar depicts a tragic hero, or someone who has a high position and causes his own downfall. The tragic hero is Brutus, and he makes multiple and ultimately fatal mistakes that lead to his enlightenment and then his death. Brutus' death is the result of many misfortunes, including being enlisted in the conspiracy and thus contributing to Caesar's death, learning of the death of his faithful wife, and waging war against Rome. Brutus' negative characteristics are his flawed reasoning and his poor judgment. While he is still planning Caesar's murder, Cicero's name is mentioned and it is suggested that he be included in the conspiracy. However Brutus is against this thought, saying that Cicero should not even be mentioned. “Oh, don't mention it. Let us not break with him, / for nothing will ever follow / That other men begin” (916). The problem is further exacerbated when he allows Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus didn't think twice and underestimated Antony. Antony asks Brutus to allow him “in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, / to speak in the order of his funeral” (943). The way he talks about Cesare is intimate, with his words flowing and carefully placed. In this way he can easily persuade the collective mind of ordinary people. Furthermore, the opposing strategies of Brutus and Cassius jeopardize their plan to fight Rome. While Cassius says they should wait to fight, Brutus says the army should march to meet their opponents. Cassius explains that they should let the enemy pursue them because in this way “He will waste his means, tire his soldiers, / taking offense, while we, immobile, / Are full of rest, defense and agility” (974 ). Brutus you......middle of paper......but even in this scene, Cassius seems to be more emotional than Brutus, and also creates a feeling of sadness in the audience. Antonio's speech creates enormous chaos among the crowd. “Good friends, sweet friends, let me not instigate you/ To such a sudden deluge of mutiny” (954). Here Antony uses reverse psychology on the crowd, thus leading them to decide that there should be punishment for the conspirators. Although Brutus tries to use his rank and the trust of the Romans to take down a potential threat, his plan fails and he dies as a man who had to flee Rome. Brutus can be described as the tragic hero of the story because he makes many fatal mistakes that cause his downfall. However, the audience can sympathize with him because his cause was pure: to benefit the Romans. Yet, his death is the main cause of the fall of a great empire.