- Revenge and the power of Caesar's spirit: Caesar dominates the act though he is dead; both conspirators die acknowledging him.
- Fate and omens: the eagles, the ravens, the Ghost — the supernatural foretells defeat; even the sceptical Cassius half-believes.
- Error and misjudgement: Cassius dies through a mistake ("melancholy's child"); Brutus's early attack loses the battle.
- Honour and suicide: the Romans prefer death to the shame of being led in triumph.
- Loyalty and friendship: Titinius, Lucilius, Strato and the others show devotion to the end.
- The tragic hero: Brutus is noble, but his idealism and errors of judgement bring disaster to himself and Rome.
7.1 Irony in the act
- Cassius dies on his birthday — his life comes "full circle".
- Cassius kills himself just when the battle has turned in his favour: Titinius was surrounded by friends, not enemies.
- The same sword that killed Caesar kills Cassius; Brutus "kill'd not thee with half so good a will".
- Brutus, who condemned Cato's suicide as "cowardly and vile", dies by his own hand.
- Brutus rejoices that no man was ever untrue to him — though he himself was untrue to Caesar.
- The man who led the attack on Caesar's ambition is praised by Caesar's avenger as "the noblest Roman of them all".
7.2 Why Brutus is the tragic hero
| Quality of a tragic hero | Brutus |
|---|---|
| noble and admired | "the noblest Roman of them all" |
| a tragic flaw | idealism that blinds him to people's motives; over-confidence in his own judgement |
| errors of judgement | sparing Antony; letting Antony speak last; marching to Philippi; attacking too early |
| suffering | loss of Portia, of Cassius, of the battle |
| recognition | "O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!" |
| death that arouses pity | runs on his sword, honoured by his enemies |