Examples Of Manipulation In Julius Caesar

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The theme of manipulation is one seen throughout time. Man continues to pit one another against each other in hopes of achieving a selfish goal. Julius Caesar, a play written by Shakespeare, is characterized as a tragedy when the conflict between Brutus’s heroic qualities and his major flaw label him as a tragic hero, when his repeated and flawed behavior causes his downfall and the downfall of others, and when his actions culminate into the theme of manipulation. Brutus is revealed as a tragic hero because he has heroic qualities of nobility and strength that are foiled with his major flaw of being naive, leading to his downfall. Starting early on in the play, Brutus falls into Cassius’ trap of flattery and commits to the philosophy that …show more content…

This is first revealed when Cassius manipulates Brutus through flattery as he appeals to his ego and expresses his pity for Brutus since he “do[esn’t] have any mirrors that could display [his] hidden excellence” (I.ii.60). Brutus sees through the flattery in the first moment and questions Cassius, but his flaw of being naive allows him to see past it and trust that Cassius has the proper intentions and will guide him in the right direction. Brutus’s willingness to be manipulated by Cassius leads to Caesar also being tricked by Decius to come into the Senate. After Calpurnia warns Caesar about his death, Decius coerces Caesar into believing “the dream has been interpreted wrong…[and it really means that Caesar] will provide Rome with sustaining blood, and that great men will strive to get some token of approval from [his] holy blood” (II.ii.85-90). As Caesar is manipulated by Decius into ignoring the advice of his wife, the theme of manipulation is further revealed. As Brutus and Caesar are tricked into ignoring their logical responses, the theme of manipulation is seen throughout the

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