Final Analysis of Julius Caesar
“That was a real tragedy.” or “That was so tragic.”
“Tragedy is when I cut
my finger.”
“Comedy is when you
fall down a sewer.”
-- Comedian Mel Brooks
A tragedy is a dramatic form with a few distinguishing characteristics:
1. The story focuses on a TRAGIC HERO - a person of high
rank.
2. This character experiences a “reversal of fortune” that
ends in his downfall.
3. Audiences often feel pity for the character (called a catharsis)
4. The character contributes to his downfall because of a
A character’s tragic flaw is the weakness in his/her
character that causes the character’s downfall.
Some common examples of tragic flaws are pride, jealousy, greed, anger, and idealism.
Tragic Heroes in Pop Culture
GREED
ARROGANCE
OBLIVIOUS TO
HIS
SURROUNDINGS
FEAR OF
LOSING
CONTROL
HIGH RANK
WALTER
WHITE
ANAKIN
SKYWALKER
TRAGIC FLAW
CATHARSIS?
Drug Kingpin
(very
powerful)
Discovered
by his
relative
Ambition for
more money
and power
We do feel some
pity for what he
has done to
himself and his
family
Disney star
Falls into
the wrong
crowd
Believes she is
above the law
and can do
anything she
wants
Not yet
Most
successful
coach
Discovery of
Sandusky
scandal
Inability to
recognize what
was going on
Many people in
our area do, but
others around the
country don’t
Great Jedi
Crosses
over to the
dark side
Fear of losing
people around
him
By the end of
Return of the Jedi
we feel bad for
him
LINDSAY
LOHAN
JOE
PATERNO
REVERSAL
 Your neighbor loses his job and family because of an




obsession with alcohol.
The king of a country does more and more bad things.
Eventually he is thrown in jail because he bragged
about it on Twitter.
The president of a foreign country is assassinated by a
group of rebels.
A once-proud senator is kicked out of office for taking
bribes from special interest groups.
A city councilman follows corrupt colleagues because
of his trust of others and ends up guilty of fraud.
Writing Assignment
In a response of
at least 1-2
written pages,
explain how the
play is an
example of a
literary tragedy.
Who do you
argue is the play’s
tragic hero?
 Be sure to explain how the
play is an example of
Literary Tragedy.
 Be sure to explain how
your character choice is an
example of a tragic hero.
 Be sure to explain the
character’s tragic flaw.
 Be sure to use real events
from the play to support
your answer.
Character: __________________
HIGH RANK
TRAGIC FLAW
REVERSAL
CATHARSIS?
TEXT
EVIDENCE
ACT ONE
Scene 1 – Commoners argue with Marullus/Flavius
Scene 2 – Cassius discusses Caesar’s growing power with Brutus, Caesar refuses the
crown, Cassius plans to trick Brutus
Scene 3 – Big storm, bad omens around town
ACT TWO
Scene 1 – Brutus decides to kill Caesar, Portia wants to know what’s wrong
Scene 2 – Caesar’s wife doesn’t want him to go to the capital, but he decides to anyway
ACT THREE
Scene 1 – Caesar is killed, Cassius and Brutus disagree about Antony
Scene 2 – Funeral speeches
Scene 3 – Cinna the poet is killed
ACT FOUR
Scene 1 – Antony and Octavius decide who will live
Scene 2 – Brutus and Cassius argue, Caesar returns
ACT FIVE
Final battle…everyone kills themselves.