Marcus Brutus: Praetor, Senator, and Tragic Hero against the dictator Julius Caesar. There are several tragic heroes in this play who suffer extreme downfalls. A tragic hero is a character who was once highly esteemed or high-ranking, but who encounters a series of terrible events that contribute to a giant fall from that position. The character of Brutus completely fits this description. He and the other conspirators plan to assassinate Caesar and ultimately do so. Subsequently, Brutus sees the errors of his ways in a moment of enlightenment on his last day on earth. Brutus' faults are not many, but the faults he has are major. He is easily manipulated, as shown by Cassius's trap letters sent by Roman citizens. Cassius says: “I am going this night/ In several hands, at its windows to throw,/ As if they came from several citizens,/ Writings, all tending to the great opinion/ Which Rome takes from its name” (899). Brutus holds the opinions of his fellow Romans in high esteem and will defend their opinions with all his might. Cassius sends him these letters to effectively manipulate him. Brutus also doesn't make good decisions regarding the plot. He allows Marc Antony to speak after him, shortly after Caesar's death. Antony has harsh and merciless words towards Brutus and the other conspirators during his speech which brings about Brutus' ultimate decline. His speech is a eulogy to Caesar and a belligerent attack on his enemies. "You all saw this on the Lupercal/ I presented him three times with a royal crown,/ Which he refused three times...... middle of paper ....... "My heart rejoices that yet, in all my life,/ I have found no man who has not been faithful to me./ I will have glory on this losing day,/ More than Octave and Marc Antony/ On this vile conquest I will achieve” (996). The character of Brutus in Shakespeare's epic play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar brings a great fall from his position as a beloved senator. Brutus was a man of the people. After Caesar's assassination, he was considered a traitor to the Romans. A man unaware of his follies until the end, Brutus is manipulated and used by the conspirators to achieve their own goals. However, throughout this play he remains loyal to the Roman people and what he believes to be their views. Brutus, a faithful man of the Roman Republic, is certainly a tragic hero. Works Cited Elements of Literature: Orlando, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2007.