There is a theory that if we were to see a clone of ourselves we would not be able to recognize them right away. We do not know what we look like in person. We have only seen our faces through reflections and pictures. However, those can be deceiving because our perception of how we look is different from how we appear in reality to other people. Similarly, Shakespeare uses the motif of eyes, mirrors, and reflections in Act 1 Scene 2 of Julius Caesar in the conversation between Brutus and Cassius in order propel the plot forward by using it as a way for Cassius to convince Brutus into murdering Caesar as well as spur the reader to think about good and bad in society and whether an unjust person can perform an unjust deed.
Shakespeare uses
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Brutus looks into his reflection and sees honor and righteousness in himself as well as in others. Cassius, on the other hand sees something else, and that is maleficence. Cassius contests, that there is more than just that within one’s self. He laments that no mirrors will turn Brutus’ “hidden worthiness into [his] eye” so that he “might see [his] shadow” (Julius Caesar I.2. 58-60). Brutus cannot see all that there is in himself, and shadow, in this instance, seems to be a double entendre. Shakespeare references night later on in the play with an ominous and foreboding tone of Caesar’s death, and the “shadow” that Cassius references here can signify Brutus’ reflection as well as Brutus’ darkness within himself (Julius Caesar I.2. 60). As mentioned before, Brutus is suspicious of what Cassius means, but he is unable to comprehend that Cassius is referring to the evil that lies inside him. Brutus’ flaw that leads to his tragedy is that he sees the good in everyone and himself. He gives everyone the “benefit of the doubt” even when they do not deserve it. He only sees the surface of his reflection and not his actual face. Cassius, on the contrary, sees the sin that lies deep within others and uses it to his advantage to manipulate Brutus into …show more content…
Brutus, in his conversation with Cassius, states that he will consider the case Cassius has made since it is “toward the general good” (Julius Caesar I.2. 87). As previously mentioned, Brutus does not see the same thing in himself and other people that Cassius sees. Brutus sees integrity and honor when he looks into the mirror. To Brutus, the act of murdering Caesar was for the general will of the people. He believed that in killing Caesar he was doing the most good for the sake of the people of Rome. However, what he sees in his reflection belies what others see. To Antonio and outsiders, the murder is an unjust act of killing an innocent person for no reason whatsoever. The conversation between Cassius and Brutus about mirrors foreshadows this and makes the reader ponder on whether or not what the conspirators did was just as well as whether or not Brutus is merely a just person doing an unjust deed rather than a malevolent person looking for
Throughout his speech, Antony repeats the words “[Caesar] was ambitious” and “Brutus is an honorable man” to create a contrast between the two statements. (3.2.95-96). Through this repetition, Caesar successfully undermines Brutus. Everytime he calls Brutus an honorable man, he lists a positive trait of Caesar that contradicts Brutus’s claim that he was too ambitious. He tells the crowd about the times when Caesar showed compassion for the people and when he refused the crown thrice. Antony’s sarcasm about Brutus’s honor brings into question as to whether his honor deserved. This leads the audience to doubt their feelings upon Caesar’s ambition. Near the end of his eulogy, Antony uses apostrophe when he claims that “judgment ... art fled to brutish beasts” as a reason for why the Roman people believe Brutus. (3.2.114-115). Antony indirectly shames the crowd for their belief in Brutus in that Caesar was a tyrant. Fearing alienation of the crowd, he attributes this belief to a lapse in judgement that beasts have taken. Antony also makes a pun upon Brutus’s name when he comments “brutish beasts.” Antony implies Brutus has caused a lapse in judgement within the Roman people through his oration
In addition to this characteristic of Cassius, he also has a devious nature. This attribute allows him to invent informed manipulative plans to eliminate his opponents. For instance, after saying his farewells to Brutus, he gives a soliloquy that reveals his idea of throwing writings of different handwritings in Brutus’ windows “as if they came from several citizens” all of which “tending to the great opinion that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely Caesar’s ambition shall be glancéd at” (Shakespeare I. ii. 306-309). Since Brutus and Cassius have been friends for a long period of time, Cassius holds an abundance of knowledge pertaining to his values--in this case being his honor and desire to please Rome’s citizens. This undermining plot Cassius has devised is based on an informed opinion of the most effective way to subvert Caesar’s authority, and because of the valid observations made of Brutus by Cassius, the likelihood that this clever scheme will be carried out successfully should make Caesar concerned about the intentions of his judicial
Throughout the entire play, Brutus proves to have Rome’s best interest in mind and strives to be honorable. In the beginning of the play, Brutus is talking to Cassius and he remarks, “set honor in one eye and death i' th' other, and I will look on both indifferently, for let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death” (1.2.88-91). Brutus feels very strongly about having a humble mindset. Brutus is so humble that he worries more about
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (3.2.24) This quote reflects the motive of Brutus for the assassination of his friend, Caesar. I believe Brutus killed him not out of disrespect, but in a selfless act to protect Rome from the decree of Caesar yet to come. I also believe that he did this out of force from the manipulation from his “friend” Cassius. In Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar”, Brutus’ two most significant characteristics are virtue and unconscious hypocrisy. In order to fully understand these characteristics, it is necessary to analyze all other contributing characteristics, the manipulation of friendship that Cassius uses against him, and the motivations for
Brutus’ tragic flaw was his perception that all men were identical to him in their motives. This factored allowed his decisions to be easily influenced by others whose motives were devious. Cassius was able to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy because Brutus thought the only reason behind the conspiracy was to prevent one man from becoming “Rex.” He allowed Antony’s speech to occur because he was sure that Antony was motivated by the same “honor” which motivated himself.
In Act one of Julius Caesar, Cassius complains to Brutus about how Caesar is acting modest, but he is really scheming to become a high power in Rome. While listening to Cassius’ rant, it is seen that Brutus is slowly buying Cassius’ point of view of Caesar urges him to go forward with his complains. Cassius later mentioned, “If I were/Brutus now and he were Cassius, /He should not humor me” (1.2 310-311). In lament’s terms, Cassius means that if he is Brutus and Brutus is him, he would not be as naïve nor will he be influence by Brutus. This displays that Cassius notices Brutus’ great naivety; therefore, he will try to use Brutus’ naivety for his motives. Soon afterwards, Brutus thinks, “It must be by his death, and for my part/ I know no personal cause to spurn at him/ But for the general” (2.1. 10-12). This shows that Brutus is gullible enough to buy Cassius’ and Casca’s point-of-view on Caesar. He truly believes that he and the conspirators are murdering Caesar purel...
Cassius and one of the other conspirators discuss the plan on getting people to turn against Caesar. As Cassius is talking to Cinna he says, “Three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire upon the next encounter yields him ours” (I.iii). Cassius is trying to write fake letters to people turning against Caesar that Brutus will believe. Brutus decides the best thing to do is kill Caesar because of the letters and the convincing of Cassius. When Brutus and Cassius first meet, Cassius is already acting as a mirror for Brutus. When Brutus thinks Cassius is leading him to danger Cassius says, “So well as by reflection, I your glass will modestly discover to yourself that of yourself which you yet know not of” (I.ii). Cassius believes he could be the conscious of Brutus and lead him in the path of killing Caesar. Brutus and a conspirator finally get ready for the death of Caesar. As Brutus draws near the final moment of Caesar’s death he says, “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar I have not slept” (II.i). In the beginning of the story Brutus was said to be one of Caesar’s closest friends. Cassius turned it all around and then made Brutus suspicious of Caesar. Brutus admits that the planning of Caesar’s death has brought a nightmare upon him. Cassius was a shadow that Brutus followed which resulted in the death of
Brutus has a naive view of the world. He is unable to see through the roles being played by Cassius, Casca, and Antony. He does not even recognize the fake letters were sent from Cassius. Then Brutus says,“You shall not blame us Antony, in your funeral speech, but speak all the good you can of Caesar.
In William Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar, rhetorical devices are used throughout Decius Brutus’s speech to Caesar to persuade him to attend the senate, and ultimately meet his demise. Decius Brutus uses repetition to directly play into Caesar’s ego and convince him to show at an event he was previously very unsure of. Decius first uses repetition to make Caesar feel as if he were an irreplaceable addition to the senate. He addresses Caesar as, “most mighty Caesar…” (2.2.74) multiple times throughout his oration. The repetition of “mighty” draws Caesar’s attention away from the fact that he really must not go to the senate and instead focuses on why he must. Caesar is known to be easily persuaded by the promise of attention or rewards. Decius
Brutus’ ignorance creates an expectation that develops a path which leads him awry. When Brutus mentions,“ I would not Cassius; yet I love him well” (1.2.81-88 ), he portrays his internal conflict. Brutus depicts the rendering struggle between Cassius’ acquisitions and Caesar’s actions. His oblivion toward the truth and goodwill concerning the greater health of Rome prompt him astray. He acts with the innocence of a child, deceive and swindle by Cassius, Brutus is an
Rhetorical devices have been around for many centuries, and they are used to convince and persuade people to believe in their cause. These strategies exploit individuals by influencing them to feel sympathy or trust the speaker. In Julius Caesar, a historic tragedy written by the prominent Shakespeare, Antony’s brilliant rhetorical strategies are used to trump Brutus and prompt the Roman people to unite with his rebellion against the unjust butcher of the beloved Julius Caesar.
Cassius chooses to compliment Brutus in order to get what he wants. He wants Brutus to join his conspiracy against Caesar so he uses flattery as a manipulation to gauge Brutus. “That you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome.” (I.2.55) Cassius tells Brutus that he is very well known and loved in Rome and suggests that the people are clamoring for Brutus to lead Rome instead of Caesar. By saying “respect” Cassius is referring to his reputation. By saying “shadow” he is also referring to the “reflection” of what others think of him. “Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.” (I.2.55) Cassius mentions words such as “noble” to compliment the vulnerable Brutus by stroking his ego. “O, you and I have heard our fathers say. There was a Brutus once that would have brooked Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome. As easily as a king.” (I.2.161) This refers to an ancestor of Brutus’s who, in the sixth century B.C. helped to expel the last king from Rome and set up the Republic. Cassius reminds Brutus that his own ancestors were responsible for founding the Roman republic. This manipulative phrase flatters Brutus and convin...
William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a story full of manipulation and jealousy that changes the way people think. Ancient Rome had umpteen different ways of handling situations that, in today’s world, would be considered unethical; such as battles that were very much horrifying and vivid. However, these battles were not important with the development of the plot. Shakespeare uses various ways of the idea of manipulation and betrayal to lead readers into the rest of the narrative.
In Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius both commit the evil deed of killing Caesar, yet the readers blame only Cassius. Shakespeare secretly places many techniques of repetition and point of view into the dialogue so that Cassius is given a negative attitude and Brutus a positive one. Brutus is viewed as an honorable, virtuous man while Cassius is viewed as being selfish.
Two powerful leaders, one power hungry whose ambitious ideas lead to his downfall, the other mindful of people who deserve their higher positions. A true leader is someone who has a vision, a drive and commitment to achieve what's best. In the play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Brutus and Caesar are one of the main characters. They demonstrate leadership qualities that are still relevant to today. They are both very ambitious characters; however, they do so for different reasons and differ in their openness to others. There are many similarities and differences that lie between them. Both are noble and great men with loyal followers and neither man questions the rightness of his own path. Both made crucial mistakes that resulted in their death. However, Caesar acts out of love for for himself, his country, and to retain his power as ruler of Rome. Brutus on the other hand acts out of love for freedom of Rome. This essay will discuss and compare their qualities as leaders as well as their styles and how they are effective/ineffective in the play.