Julius Caesar Essay: Cassius As A Tragic Hero

Cassius very well could be considered a tragic hero, letting his intense emotions. His dignity is his downfall leading to the end of his own life. He was very aware that he could not and would not win against Octavius and Mark Antony. Cassius and Brutus wrongly misjudge Antony, by referring to him as a “limb” of Caesar.
Cassius’ greatest characteristic happens to be his ability to perceive the true motives of men. This being shown through Caesar’s analysis of him being that “He reads much; / He is a great observer and he looks / Quite through the deeds of men” (I. ii. 201). This said asset is not put to great use when Cassius allows and supports Brutus’ taking a leading role within the republic’s affairs. From Cassius’ perspective, the nobles of Rome should be the ones responsible for the Roman Empire.

Cassius however is smart and uses his knowledge of human nature in his manipulation of his friend and fellow conspirator; Brutus. He plays well on Brutus’ sense of honor, along with his deep love for the Roman Empire. This is shown by Brutus’ statement “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (III. ii. 22).
Cassius’ manipulation also show through the use of forged notes, giving Brutus the final push he needed to agree with joining in on the conspiracy against Caesar. The same technique is used for Casca to gain his support. Cassius’ utmost goal is to ensure that Caesar does not rule over Rome, using Brutus, Casca, among others to achieve this goal. Cassius is more than willing to use almost any means necessary to ensure that an uncorrupted leader rules Rome properly.
As Cassius says himself “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings,” (I. ii. 141). Literally meaning that it is not destiny’s fault, but our own faults, that we are