Why is Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" a tragedy?

Answer by  emmons (147)

When it comes to Shakespeare, "tragedy" doesn't mean "sad" per se, so much as it means "dealing with the downfall of an extraordinary but flawed man." "Hamlet," "King Lear," and "Othello" all concern with this theme, as does "Julius Caesar," though in "Julius Caesar" both Caesar and Brutus meet downfalls.

Answer by  hitwonderful (102)

Probably because Julius Caesar was killed by Brutus, a man who is considered to be an illegitimate offspring of Caesar himself. Shakespeare found it tragic and highlighted this particular aspect in "Julius Caesar". Something the people and critics consider to be sufficiently tragic.