The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is full of important literary elements for students to explore. One of these elements is the tragic hero, a protagonist who seems to be ill-fated, and destined for doom. In this play, Brutus is the tragic hero as he leads himself and many others to their ruin and deaths.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle first articulated the specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero. For the storyboard above, students can use a template to storyboard the qualities that make Brutus a tragic hero. The finished product outlines each of Aristotle's principles with a detailed explanation of the specific attributes.
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Julius Caesar |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Hero's Flaw that Causes Downfall | Brutus’s love of Rome demands he do anything required to preserve it. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | Brutus was so certain of his justness in killing Caesar, he didn’t anticipate that the people of Rome would follow Antony against him. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | Antony turns the crowd against him during Caesar’s eulogy. |
| Anagnorisis | Moment of Critical Discovery | He discovers that the people of Rome have turned on the conspirators and they must prepare for battle. |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | Once Caesar has been killed, it is inevitable that Brutus will go to war with Antony. Caesar’s ghost foreshadows this defeat. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | Antony finds Brutus’ body and requests that he be buried as a hero. The audience is sad that a noble man, with good intentions, suffered such a tragic fate. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Brutus can be considered a tragic hero.
Begin by explaining the concept of character development to students and why it is necessary to the plot. Before starting a discussion on character development, students can list down some of the main characters they would like to analyze with this concept.
Analyze the characters' earliest characteristics, personalities, and goals. What do they believe and want at the beginning of the story? What are their strengths and weaknesses? This creates a foundation for comprehending their evolution. It will also give the students a basis for comparison.
Describe the situations or occurrences that serve as impetuses for character development. These are the circumstances that test or strain the characters, forcing them outside of their comfort zones and forcing them to adapt. These catalysts can be easier to recognize if students employ the concept of a Hero’s Journey and read through the stages.
Note the moments in the narrative where characters take important decisions that affect their development. Examine the significance of these instances and how they affect the course of the characters.
Provide textual evidence to back up your analysis. Quote sentences from situations, conversations, or passages that reflect the characters' growth. This gives your argument weight and credence. Students can also enhance their analysis by giving their own opinions about the character growth and the ending.
When Brutus' involvement in the killing of Julius Caesar results in unanticipated repercussions, his luck turns around. Instead of re-establishing the republic, Rome devolves into anarchy, and Brutus suffers both physical and emotional devastation.
When Brutus admits his errors and understands how foolish he was, it is when he has a moment of self-realization. This insight occurs to him when he considers his decisions after experiencing loss in the war. During this moment, he recognizes his foolish involvement in Caesar’s death and how he was manipulated to do so.
Yes, Brutus' terrible weakness of idealism and his failure to recognize the effects of his deeds were key factors in his demise. His involvement in Caesar's murder triggers a chain of events that led to his tragic demise.