A tragic hero is the character whose actions deeply affect the other characters and who creates a series of events that eventually lead to the characters downfall and the downfall of his loved ones. Such a hero possesses a flaw in character that influences his actions and thinking and especially his judgments. In logically determining who the hero in Julius Caesar is, one simply must find the one character who fits the above guidelines. Marcus Brutus is the only one, and, thus, he is the tragic hero.
One of the first occasions presented was the plotting of Caesars assassination. Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius and the other conspirators all wanted to rid Rome of Caesar. However, not one of them could give the green light. They needed one who held a high place in the hearts of the people, to support them and to justify their actions. They needed an honorable man. Without this man, the conspirators would not be called conspirators for they would not have had sufficient strength to see it through. In that, there would not have been a conspiracy. Marcus Brutus agreed to be their source of strength. This final decision to join Cassius and company marked the end of Julius Caesar.
After the murderous confrontation, it was not too late to prevent the anger of Caesars allies and the citizens or, even, to avoid future civil war. But it was here that Brutus made his second and third mistakes. Marcus Brutus rose before the Roman populace and attempted to offer a justification of Caesars murder. His flawed judgment came when he deemed Antony trustworthy and allowed him to speak at Caesars funeral. Brutus naively let Antony draw the mob in his favor. No one could dare refute Antonys impassioned pleas in behalf of Caesar.
Brutus tragic flaw was his perception that all men were identical to him in their motives. This factored allowed his decisions to be easily influenced by others whose motives were devious. Cassius was able to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy because Brutus thought the only reason behind the conspiracy was to prevent one man from becoming Rex. He allowed Antonys speech to occur because he was sure that Antony was motivated by the same honor which motivated himself.
Finally, though the debate may continue on those issues mentioned, there is no other character whose decisions and actions created a series of events so catastrophic. If Brutus had not joined the conspiracy, the assassination would not have taken place. If Brutus did not leave Mark Antony to give his speech, he would have been able to stand up for himself and avoid the mobs hatred of him. Had these situations occurred, a war would not have started and Caesar, Portia, Cassius, Brutus, and many others would not have lost their lives.
