Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: Brutus, The Tragic Hero

While Shakespeare’s historical tragedy Julius Caesar is titled after Julius, it is Brutus who becomes the tragic hero by the closing act of the play. Brutus, despite his role with the conspirators and murder of Julius Caesar, is hailed a hero after his death by Antony because of his noble nature and his genuine concern for the well-being of Rome.

Although Brutus helps assassinate Julius Caesar, he can be considered heroic because he kills without selfish motivation. In contrast to the villainous Cassius, Brutus has good intentions for killing Caesar. At the beginning of the play, Brutus tells Lucius that “I know no personal cause to spurn at him [Caesar], / But for the general. He would be crowned. / How that might change his nature, there’s the question” (1.3.11–13). Although Brutus “[loves Caesar] well,” he does not want Caesar to become king because he believes that Caesar is “ambitious” and so he “slew him” (1.2.82; 3.2.24–25). Brutus does not kill for personal gain or revenge, for it was Cassius who first initiated the assassination. Brutus does not “[love] Caesar less, but… / [he] love[s] Rome more” (3.2.20–21). Caesar’s death is an unfortunate necessity for the benefit of the country, and Brutus wants to ensure that no more blood will be shed in the matter.

Even when plotting Caesar’s death, Brutus stands against Cassius who wants to kill Antony as well and insists: “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, / To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, / Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards; […] Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius” (2.1.163–67). Brutus again emphasizes this point, saying he wants to kill “boldly but no wrathfully” so that they can “be called purgers, not murderers” (2.1.173, 181). Brutus does not want to shed blood for the sake of murder but for the betterment of his country. In his speech to the conspirators, Brutus remarks that “alas, / Caesar must bleed for” the sake of the betterment of Rome (2.1.171–72). Later on, Brutus angrily tells Cassius “Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake? / What villain touched his body that did stab / And not for justice?” (4.2.19–21). Brutus rebukes Cassius for wanting to “[c]ontaminate our fingers with base bribes” and insists that he “can raise no money by vile means” (4.2.24, 72). Brutus seeks to be honourable in all things and believes that disposing of Caesar is a necessary evil and an act of justice for the good of Rome.

Brutus’ heroic nature is again affirmed by how other character represents him, even those who could be considered his enemies, like Antony. In the final lines of the play, Antony remarks, “This was the noblest Roman of them all. / All that they did in envy of great Caesar; / He only in a general honest thought / And common good to all made one of them. / His life was gentle, and the elements / so mixed in him that nature might stand up, / And say to all the world, ‘This was a man!’” (5.5.68–75). Even Octavius considers Brutus a virtuous man and insists that his body be treated “[w]ith all respect and rites of burial,” “[m]ost like a soldier, ordered honorably” (5.5.76–77, 79). Even the men who, like Antony, seek to avenge Caesar’s death speak Brutus’ praises and call him a “noble vessel” (5.5.13). Even though Brutus helped kill Caesar, he is hailed as a noble man who deserves honour because he acted in genuine concern for the betterment of Rome and not in his own selfish interests.