A tragic hero is a character who makes an error of judgment that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy. In addition, this character is happy at the beginning of the play. A tragic hero must be of noble birth and demonstrate a tragic flaw throughout the story. This character will realize their flaw once it is too late to overcome the conflict. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Marcus Brutus exhibits qualities that make him the tragic character.
According to Aristotle, “A tragic hero is a character who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice and depravity, but by some error or frailty…” The classic tragic hero has some type of tragic character flaw which creates an inner struggle, leads to his making a serious error in judgment, and leads to his eventual downfall and death. In Julius Caesar Brutus displays the traits of a tragic hero through out this play. His tragic flaw is his being too naive. He makes an error in judgment, and when this error occurred it causes his own downfall. But Brutus causes his own downfall when after killing Caesar all of Rome turns against the conspirators.
The Tragic Hero in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar In most stories, there is often a hero that sacrifices to achieve their goal, but in Shakespearean tragedies, there is always a tragic hero. A tragic hero is the protagonist of a tragedy, which is fated to suffer by his or her own flaws or weaknesses. Some people believe that Brutus is the tragic hero in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, while others believe that Julius Caesar is the tragic hero in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The tragic hero in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is Brutus because he experiences suffering, has a tragic flaw of honor, while other believe that Julius Caesar more of a tragic hero. A hero suffers an extreme reversal of fortune, from great success to abysmal failure, which causes immense suffering.
Through the great tragedy Oedipus Rex, we can easily see how Sophocles personified the tragic hero. Oedipus is the model for Aristotle’s tragic hero because he possesses a tragic flaw, undergoes a reversal of fortune, and in the end, recognizes his mistakes. As part of Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero Oedipus possesses a tragic flaw. This hamartia (tragic flaw) is caused by a lapse of judgment in his past the led Oedipus to engage in a mistake that would forever change his life. After fleeing from Corinth, Oedipus encounters Laios on a crossroad.
Aristotle believed that a tragic hero must have been a man of greatness and nobility, while still being flawed in essence to his personality. Causing his own demise, the character must suffer far worst then one might think he deserves, at the same time gain insight of this and accept his failure to complete himself and achieve a more righteous self. In my opinion Creon is, according to Aristotle a tragic hero. Creon, being next in line for the political post as King of Thebes, was known for his outstanding beliefs and morals. Creon states, “I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid/ for whatever reason/ to follow the course of that he knows is best for the state…I have no use for him…” (Antigone.
I believe Creon displays all of the characteristics of a 'tragic hero'. He receives compassion through the audience, yet recognizes his weaknesses and his downfalls from his own self-pride, stubbornness, and controlling demands. This is quote told by Aristotle he explains who is a tragic hero “A tragic hero is a character who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice and depravity, but by some error or frailty…”(sparknoted/defintionoftrdigy.ca ) First of all Creon’s ego influenced his decisions once he came to power. He believed that a king owns the land and the people living there have to blindly follow the orders of the ruler. He passed a law that restrained anyone from burying his own nephew’s body.
Tragic hero, a Tragic hero is a not so perfect person of high social status. That then has a downfall from his from his high title in society and pays for all of his wrong doing. During or after his downfall he has a moment of clarity finally realizing what he has done. In the book “Oedipus The King” Oedipus shows to be a true tragic hero. Using Oedipus as an ideal model, Aristotle says that a tragic hero must be an important or influential man who makes an error in judgment, and who must then suffer the consequences of his actions.
In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the character Marcus Brutus is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is defined as a character that has some type of tragic character flaw, which eventually leads to making a serious error in judgment, and leads to his defeat. In Julius Caesar Brutus displays the traits of a tragic hero throughout this play. Brutus’s attempt at doing what he thinks is right, yet doing the wrong thing fits the definition of a tragic hero. However, the factors that show that Brutus is a good man is his noble personality, ability to trust others blindly, and his caring nature toward others.
The hubristic tragic flaw known as the hamartia is the cause of the downfall. Typically the relatable hero goes on a journey bringing him to his tragic fate which accepts with honour. An example of a well-fitted tragic hero is the character King Oedipus, created by Sophocles. This is because Oedipus had been the model for Aristotle's definition. Imperfections within the personality of the hero are revealed to the audience to be the ultimate cause of their downfall.
One sees from the very beginning that he is a very complex and conflicted man, and that his tragedy has already begun. Hamlet is considered to be a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw, that in the end, is the cause of his downfall. As defined by Aristotle, a tragic play has a beginning, middle, and end; unity of time and place; a tragic hero; and the concept of catharsis. One of the main reasons this play is considered a tragic play is because the main character is a tragic hero. Hamlet's tragic flaw is he spends too much time thinking and not enough time acting.