Saturday, July 24, 2010

When does Brutus recognize his tragic flaw?

Brutus realized that he committed a mistake by participating in the assassination of Caesar when Caesar’s ghost appeared to him. He acknowledged this omen as a sign confirming his mistake and at that point he decided that it was his time to die (Act V Scene V).


Brutus participated in the assassination of Caesar believing that he was doing the right thing for the republic. He personally stated that he had no personal issues with his friend, but he was afraid that he would turn into a tyrant. After Caesar’s death, the Second Triumvirate comprising of Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus sought to avenge Caesar’s death by pursuing the conspirators. The two groups met at the battle field and it was during this time that the ghost of Caesar appeared to Brutus. Brutus informed his soldiers of his decision to die and asked them to retreat. Brutus then asked Strato who was left behind to hold his sword which he ran against, killing himself. Before he died, he stated that Caesar would be avenged through his suicide, which he was about to commit with motives twice as pure compared to those of the assassination. “Caesar, now be still. / I killed not thee with half so good a will”


Brutus acknowledged his participation in the assassination of Caesar as a mistake because even after Caesar’s death, he was still unable to save the republic.

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