In both William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the portrayal of heroic and honourable characters meeting with suffering and tragic ends due to their personal flaws or a combination of both internal and external forces is a central theme. In this essay, I will analyze the characters of Marcus Brutus from Julius Caesar and Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart to demonstrate how their tragic downfalls are a result of their own flaws as well as the influence of external forces beyond their control.
First and foremost, let us examine the character of Marcus Brutus from Julius Caesar. As one of the conspirators against Caesar, Brutus is initially portrayed as a noble and honourable man who believes he is acting in the best interest of Rome. However, his tragic flaw lies in his naivety, as he underestimates the cunning and manipulative nature of Cassius and the other conspirators. Despite his good intentions, Brutus’s decision to join the conspiracy ultimately leads to the downfall of both himself and his beloved Rome. In Act 5, Scene 5, Brutus remarks, “O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet; / Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords / In our own proper entrails.” This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the repercussions of his actions, as Brutus comes to realize too late the destructive consequences of his betrayal.
On the other hand, in Things Fall Apart, we encounter the character of Okonkwo, a proud and powerful warrior who rises to a position of leadership within his clan. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw is his excessive pride and fear of appearing weak, which leads to his violent and oppressive behavior towards his family and fellow clan members. Despite his strength and determination, Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to traditional values and inability to adapt to changing circumstances ultimately contribute to his downfall. In Chapter 25 of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo reflects on his fate, stating, “I have done my best. I have killed a man and left the bodies of my tribe in the forest. It is now I alone who will pay for it.” This passage underscores Okonkwo’s realization that his own actions have brought about his tragic end, highlighting the destructive nature of his pride and stubbornness.
Furthermore, both Brutus and Okonkwo also face external forces beyond their control that play a significant role in shaping their destinies. In Julius Caesar, Brutus’s downfall is exacerbated by the unpredictable actions of Mark Antony and the Roman populace, who turn against the conspirators after Caesar’s assassination. Despite his good intentions, Brutus is unable to anticipate the consequences of his actions and is eventually defeated in battle by Antony’s forces. Similarly, in Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s tragic end is influenced by the arrival of the European colonizers, whose presence disrupts the traditional way of life in the Igbo society. Okonkwo’s refusal to adapt to the changing circumstances and his stubborn resistance to the colonizers ultimately lead to his alienation from his clan and his ultimate demise.
In conclusion, the tragic downfalls of Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar and Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart are the result of their personal flaws as well as the influence of external forces beyond their control. Both characters possess noble qualities and good intentions, but their inability to overcome their inherent weaknesses and adapt to changing circumstances ultimately lead to their tragic ends. Through a close analysis of these characters, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and the destructive consequences of pride, stubbornness, and a refusal to accept change. Ultimately, both Brutus and Okonkwo serve as cautionary tales of the dangers of hubris and an unwillingness to confront one’s own limitations.
Your essay should be 600-800 words.
Be sure to include a thesis statement and textual evidence in support of your argument.
Your essay should also be logically structured with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.
You will be assessed on the clarity, originality and incisiveness of your analysis of the drama and novel as well as on language and grammatical precision.
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You have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete your essay. If you do not submit after this time, mark deductions for every minute of overtime will apply.
Question:
Although William Shakespeare’s (2006) Julius Caesar and Chinua Achebe’s (1958) Things Fall Apart are set in different time periods and locations, they share commonalities in their portrayal of characters and their tragic downfalls. In a logically structured essay, analyse how two heroic and honourable characters of your choice (one from Julius Caesar and one from Things Fall Apart) meet with suffering and a tragic end due to either their personal flaws or a combination of their own personal flaws and external forces beyond their control.
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