Activity Overview
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.
Brutus - Tragic Hero
| 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. |
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Identify events of the play or characteristics of Brutus that fit into Aristotelian attributes of a tragic hero.
- Illustrate examples for Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Brutus as a tragic hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically
- [ELA-Literacy/L/9-10/6] Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Hero Characteristics | The six tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The explanation provided explains how the scenes depict each characteristic, and shows effective analysis. | Four or five tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the elements may not be identified correctly. The explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and there is some attempt at analysis. | Two or three tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal. | One or fewer tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are minimal or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How To Discuss Character Development Throughout the Story
Explain Character Development
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 Character Traits at the Beginning of the Story
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.
Recognize Catalysts
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.
Highlight the Twists
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.
Use Textual Support
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brutus as a Tragic Hero
How Does Brutus Go Through a Turnaround in His Fortune?
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.
What Happens During Brutus's Self-Realization Moment?
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.
Does Brutus' tragic error result in his demise?
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.
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