Brutus Character Analysis in Julius Caesar Essay Example

This book has included tragic events, such as a killing, a hero who almost saves the book, and a downfall that ended up having the book falling off. In the tragedy of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare made the death of Caesar appealing to us, the reader and with the details, the author expressed that we could picture ourselves as we saw it with our own eyes. Shakespeare's tragic story is set in Rome during 46-44 BC. It features main characters such as Caesar, Brutus, and others involved in Rome as they work to save Rome and rule Rome at the same time. While Shakespeare initially characterizes Brutus as a trustworthy friend because he was friendly and trustful to others, the author develops this character to become a backstabber ( no pun intended) to others. Brutus is a tragic hero but he puts his trust in others and that leads to his downfall.

The most sympathetic character trait Brutus has in Acts 1-2 of the play is him being a leader almost in a way. What I mean by this is the fact that when you go back and read through some of act 1, you can see that Brutus is the main talker throughout the scene and has a very important role as well and he delivers as a good character and us as the reader can feel touched by him in a way. “I will do so. But look you, Cassius, the angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow, and all the rest look like a chidden train. Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes as we have seen him in the capital,”(Shakespeare, I.ii. 192-197). This quote is taking in the fact that Brutus is talking about and to others acting like he is a ruler in a way feeling confident. I think Brutus did this just to show that he can be as well as Caesar can be and to show that he can do the same thing and be powerful.

It shows itself as a fatal flaw in acts 2-4 of the play because it plays an important part and describes it well. When I say this, what I mean is Brutus feels like he has power. Brutus ends up killing Caesar and feels like the new leader. “People and Senators, be not affrighted. Fly not; stand still. Ambition’s debt is paid,”(Shakespear, III.I. 90-91).  This is saying that Brutus tells everyone that they should not be afraid. Saying the fact that he is almost in power. Because Caesar is now dead, there is no leader of Rome, so Brutus is taking that into his own hands. 

How Brutus’ fatal flaw leads to his downfall in Act 5 of the play is that his mental health gets to his head and leads to his downfalls.  Brutus was in a house and decided with someone that he would hold a sword so that Brutus himself could commit suicide and kill himself. “Farewell, good Strato. Caesar; now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will,” (Shakespeare.55-57-  V.V.). This quote shows that Brutus was not in his right state of mind and was not feeling himself and decided his time was done in the world. 

Something must have hit Brutus in his heart not physically, but mentally, and must have gotten in his mind. Brutus is a tragic hero, but the way he puts his trust in others eventually will lead to his downfall. Initially, Shakespeare represents Brutus as noble. He shows personality traits that can represent this. Shakespeare develops Brutus to become mentally ill because he ends up killing Caesar. Ultimately, Shakespeare shows how becoming self-centered can lead to Brutus’ downfall including the death of Caesar, and the way he kills himself. People living in the real world today should pay attention to Brutus and his downfall because Brutus was a really interesting character. In different parts of the book, Brutus could have been people’s favorite character, but one bad major decision can easily lead to people disliking you. It is shown with Caesar's death and eventually leads to him killing himself.