The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is an epic tragedy written in the late 1500’s that is based off of true events. With themes of ambition and conflict, and a total of four suicides, this play will keep you at the edge of your seat; especially the actions of one of the main characters, Marcus Brutus, who was manipulated into joining the conspiracy against Julius Caesar; even if it was for beneficial reasons. Marcus Brutus can be described as, “The noblest Roman of them all”, for he constantly made decisions for the benefit of Rome. One action taken by Brutus that was motivated towards the convenience of his country was joining the conspiracy against Caesar. While the other conspirators, such as Trebonius, Cinna, Cassius, Ligarius, Decius, Metellus, and Casca joined for reasons like dreams, signs, and Brutus’s noble name, Brutus did not. He felt that it would be of benefit for Rome if Caesar was no longer in power …show more content…
Brutus’s lack of self-knowledge leads him to being manipulated into gaining confidence that Caesar’s future plans for Rome will end up being the downfall of the country. A second way that Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy is by flattering him. He does this in a way that makes Brutus realize that Caesar is no better than him; comparing Brutus and Caesar’s names as one in the same. In Act One, Scene Two, Cassius asks Brutus if he doesn’t see “...his own face”, and Brutus’s reply is that he only sees himself “...by reflection, by some other things.”. This is the introduction into the manipulation because after this dialogue is when Cassius informs Brutus of his nobility, and compares him at the same level as Caesar. Cassius’s deceiving tricks persuade Brutus into joining because he now isn't thinking of Caesar as someone ranked above him in every aspect, but more so as someone with a balanced noble status to
The play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare showcases many characters and events that go through many significant changes. One particular character that went through unique changes was Julius Caesar. The 16th century work is a lengthy tragedy about the antagonists Brutus and Cassius fighting with the protagonists Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus over the murder of Julius Caesar. Although the play’s main pushing conflict was the murder of Julius Caesar, he is considered a secondary character, but a protagonist. Throughout the theatrical work Julius Caesar’s actions, alliances, character developments, and internal and external conflicts display his diverse changes.
Cassius needed a reason to motivate Brutus to join the conspiracy so that the plan would develop. “Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness…” (1.2.34) Cassius is saying that Brutus hasn’t been as affectionate toward him as he typically is. Maybe he suspects something is wrong with Brutus and he thinks it has something to do with Caesar. But I think he didn’t really care about how Brutus was treating him, he was just “buttering him up” so to say. Brutus thinks that Cassius is just being his friend and trying to help, when in reality Cassius is manipulating him. This manipulation of friendship is what drives the rest of the play. Brutus has a hard time seeing through this manipulation of Cassius and it ends up driving him to assassinating his friend, Caesar. Cassius fabricated letters to make them seen like they were from the people of Rome saying that they wanted Brutus as their leader. These letters were really the controlling factor of the assassination because they gave Brutus another reason to assassinate Caesar. Cassius then realized how easy it was to manipulate Brutus. “Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see thy honorable mettle may be wrought from that it is disposed. Therefore it is meet that noble minds keep ever with their likes; for who so firm that cannot be seduced?” (1.2.320-324) Cassius is saying that even
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.
At the beginning, Brutus is tricked by Cassius into believing that killing Julius Caesar would be for the better of Rome (1, 2, ll. 32-321). Cassius is able to deviously influence Brutus into thinking that Caesar is no different from Brutus. He says, “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that Caesar?/ Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1, 2, ll. 142-143) Cassius also uses many other examples to manipulate Brutus.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is an intimate portrayal of the famed assassination of Julius Caesar and the complex inner workings of the men who committed the crime. In one particularly revealing scene, two of the men closest to Caesar, one a conspirator in his murder and one his second-in command, give orations for the deceased. Despite being simple in appearance, these two speeches do much of the work in developing and exposing the two characters in question. Though both have a love for Caesar, Mark Antony's is mixed with a selfish desire for power, while Brutus' is pure in nature, brought to a screeching halt by his overpowering stoicism. These starkly-contrasted personalities influence the whole of the play, leading to its tragic-but-inevitable end.
Cassius is trying to create the downfall of Caesar. He is trying to persuade Brutus because he is Caesar’s best friend as well as Cassus’s. Therefore because he trusts Cassius, he can likely persuade Brutus to understand his point of view. Furthermore because Brutus is Caesar’s close friend he can get close to Caesar.
At first, Brutus was very hesitant when deciding if he was going to join the conspiracy. Due to how stressful this situation was for him, he had trouble sleeping from time to time. If Brutus would join the conspiracy, it would ensure safety for the people of Rome. Act II, scene i, lines #33-34, Brutus used an analogy to compare Caesar to a serpent’s egg. This analogy meant that a malicious leader would be coming to power and cause harm to innocent people. In Brutus’s eyes, he saw Caesar as a man who was up to no good. Brutus believed Caesar’s intentions were not good for Rome.
He is loyal to Rome, and he is afraid of what might happen to Rome if Caesar takes full control. Brutus fears that if Caesar becomes too in control, then getting rid of him might be the only way to fix the problem, and “It must be by his death” (II, i, 10-35). Right after that, Lucius, Brutus’ servant discovered letters in Brutus’ study left from an anonymous source. The letter’s contents were inquisitive about the future of Rome and whether or not it should be ruled by a single person. After reading the letters, Brutus was even more convinced to put Caesar’s reign to an end (II, i, 45-60). At a different time in the play, it is revealed that Cassius forged these letters and he left them at a place where Brutus would find them. Cassius and the other conspirators were plotting Caesar’s assassination. They needed Brutus to join because of how well-received he was with the people of Rome because he might be able to convince the people that killing Caesar was the best thing to do for Rome
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
First of all, the conspiracy needed him to keep from looking like an offensive group that was just out to murder in cold blood. They also desperately needed leadership. “O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, and that which would appear offense in us his countenance, like richest alchemy, will change to virtue and worthiness.”( 1218) This highlights the fact that even the brains behind the conspiracy- Cassius, admitted that Brutus was needed for the conspiracy. This
Brutus is wrong to join the conspiracy because he loves Caesar, Caesar is a good ruler, and in the end, both Brutus and Cassius kill themselves. Brutus is given a horrible opportunity to join a conspiracy. Brutus makes the wrong choice--most likely because of the intent of the conspiracy and the pressure that is put on him. He does much thinking about it and he ultimately chose wrong.
In the beginning of the Book Cassius uses anecdotes of Caesar’s weakness and faults, argumentum ad antiquatum, and ethos on Brutus to persuade him to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar, this works on Brutus and shows that anyone, even people as stoic as Brutus, can be persuaded by appealing to their motivations. Cassius, a very suspicious character thru ought the play tells Brutus to “be not jealous on me” (827), in the quote he tells Brutus to not be suspicious of him because he is just a friend who genuinely cares. Cassius does this to put himself on Brutus’ side and not seem like a distant person, this allows him to criticize Caesar and suggest that he is a bad influence on Rome which appeals to Brutus’ desire to keeping Rome safe. After setting himself up as a friend to Brutus, Cassius uses harsh anecdotes on the weakness of Caesar to show that he isn’t fit to rule Rome. Cassius recollects on a time when he and Caesar went swimming in the river Tiber and Caesar screamed “Help me, Cassius or I sink” (828) to de...
A character from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius, exhibits Machiavellian attributes by manipulation and a drive to accomplish his goal of assassinating Julius Caesar by any means. Cassius was able to successfully manipulate both Brutus and the fellow conspirators. Cassius was able to influence Brutus enough to make Brutus believe that killing Julius Caesar, Brutus’ best friend, was the right action. Initially, Brutus was wary of Cassius when Brutus said, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius?” (1.2.69) Subsequently, Brutus is persuaded as he states, “...what you have said / I will consider” (1.2.176-177). Cassius is willing to control any person who stands in his way. Cassius successfully turned Brutus against his best friend in order to achieve what Cassius believes to be best for Rome. When Brutus says, “Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires” (1.2.35) it is clear that Cassius has swayed Brutus to believe in his cause. In Julius Caesar, we do not see Cassius as the main leader of the cons...
Brutus’ leadership and compassion for others make him a popular figure amongst the Roman people, and it is his reputation that establishes him as an influential individual. For example, despite the fact that Brutus loves Caesar like a brother, he warily joins the conspiracy to assassinate him. He does this because he believes that Caesar’s ambition would become tyranny and that Caesar’s death is a necessary evil in order to preserve the liberties of the Roman people. In his own words Brutus claims, “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general.”(Act 2, Scene 1, Page 1116). In addition, Brutus takes the reins of authority from Cassius and becomes the leader of the conspiracy. He gains this prerogative because of his convincing tongue and powerful influence. His leadership is evidenced when he begins to challenge Cassius’ ideas. When Cassius asks the conspirators to “swear our resolution”(Act 2...
Brutus was a loving friend of Julius Caesar and wished anything but death on his comrade, but his love and dedication to the majestic city of Rome would force him to commit anything. He fights a war to defend Rome from a king or emperor's tyrannical rule. When the war was over, even his enemies saw that he was the most respectable Roman of them all. This (Brutus' body) was the noblest Roman of them all. All conspirators, save only he did what they did in envy of great Caesar....