In Julius Caesar, suicide plays a role in the plot of the play. Both Brutus and Cassius end their lives by committing suicide in the end of the play as their cause is threatening to collapse. I see suicide as a permanent solution to a temporary problem but the Romans saw it as being honorable and sometimes the only option.

Cassius kills himself because Pindarus has said that his friend, Titinius has been circled by the opposing troops. Cassius is so heartbroken by this that he begs Pindarus to stab him. Sadly, Titinius is not dead, but rather finds himself with a victory crown in front of Cassius' body. Pindarus was mistaken and Titinius kills himself because his friend is dead. If only Cassius had waited and proved that Titinius was dead before taking a final and undoable step.

Brutus kills himself because he vowed that he would never be captured alive. Brutus asks his close friends to kill him so that he will not be captured by Mark Antony. Finally, Brutus persuades Strato to hold the sword while Brutus runs on it to his death. Brutus' death is easier to understand and more predictable than Cassius' death. This is due to Brutus' fatal flaw of trust and his pride in his country. He has been meant to die since he killed Caesar. His death is a release from his tragic mistakes.