"Et tu Brute?" was mumbled by Caesar previous to his death. In William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus was a tragic hero, regardless of his crucial act of betrayal. Brutus was considered no threat, and was a clever man because of his nobility. What lead the downfall of the play were his honor, idealism, and poor judgment.
Honor is a fundamental basis of Brutus, and is evidently worked out in his speeches throughout the play. "Who here is so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended," was asked by Brutus, as he spoke to the plebeians at Caesar's funeral. That question proved that he was honorable, and cared for the happiness of the plebeians, and cared for Rome, however, he looses his common sense, and lets honor get in the way of his friendship with Caesar. …
