Julius Caesar - Act IV - Tragic Hero

Question 1

main concept

Answer 1

• who is the tragic hero of Julius Caesar and why? what were the conflicts in this play

Question 2

characteristics of a tragic hero

Answer 2

• person of high standing, respected, has much to lose
• has admirable qualities
• performs noble deeds
• struggles with a mighty conflict
• has tragic flaw -not always bad- that leads to downfall
• Marcus Brutus and Julius Caesar

Question 3

note

Answer 3

• Brutus conquered himself; he was conquered by no other man
• Brutus was the only conspirator that struck Caesar solely because he thought it best for Rome
• Brutus trusted Antony’s pledge of loyalty and support at the time of Caesar’s death, to his regret
• Although Cassius was a high-ranking character who fell, he was never portrayed as admirable
• Brutus’ flaw of trusting people too much is evident
• Brutus finds suicide vile; yet he refuses to forfeit his cause by going to Rome
• Julius Caesar was a fallen, high-ranking character

Question 4

tragic hero

Answer 4

• usually a person of high standing who has a tragic flaw and falls from grace