n the play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses the concept of tragedy to illustrate how the tragic
hero’s miscalculation brings about suffering and destruction. With reference to a tragic hero from
the play, write an essay in which you discuss how the tragic hero’s miscalculation leads not only
to his own suffering and destruction but also that of other characters and the entire society of Rome
In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, the tragic hero is Marcus Brutus. Throughout the play, Brutus demonstrates characteristics of a tragic hero, including noble intentions, a fatal flaw, and a downfall that affects not only himself but also those around him. Brutus's miscalculation, driven by his idealistic beliefs and sense of duty to Rome, ultimately leads to his own suffering and destruction, as well as the suffering and destruction of other characters and the entire society of Rome.
One of Brutus's fatal flaws is his idealism and naivety. He believes that by assassinating Caesar, he is protecting Rome from a tyrant and restoring the republic. However, Brutus underestimates the consequences of his actions and fails to foresee the chaos and civil war that will result from Caesar's death. His miscalculation is evident in Act 3, when the conspirators fail to maintain control of the situation after killing Caesar. Brutus's idealism blinds him to the reality of the situation and leads to a series of events that ultimately bring about his downfall.
Brutus's miscalculation not only leads to his own suffering and destruction but also affects those closest to him. The most significant example of this is the death of his wife, Portia. After the assassination of Caesar, Portia becomes increasingly anxious and distraught, sensing that something is amiss. She confronts Brutus, demanding to know the truth, but Brutus dismisses her concerns and refuses to confide in her. Portia's distress and eventual suicide are directly attributed to Brutus's miscalculation and failure to consider the impact of his actions on those he loves.
Furthermore, Brutus's miscalculation has far-reaching consequences for the entire society of Rome. The assassination of Caesar plunges Rome into chaos and civil war, as the power struggle between Antony and Octavius on one side and Brutus and Cassius on the other leads to bloodshed and tragedy. The citizens of Rome are caught in the crossfire and suffer greatly as a result of the political turmoil and instability that follows Caesar's death. Brutus's failure to anticipate the repercussions of his actions plunges Rome into a state of chaos and uncertainty, ultimately leading to the downfall of the republic.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses the character of Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar to illustrate the concept of tragedy and the devastating consequences of a tragic hero's miscalculation. Brutus's idealism and naivety lead to his own suffering and destruction, as well as the suffering and destruction of other characters and the entire society of Rome. Through Brutus's tragic downfall, Shakespeare demonstrates the destructive power of hubris and the importance of considering the consequences of one's actions.