In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius and Brutus are two main characters who act against Julius Caesar. Cassius functions as a foil to Brutus because Cassius is rather cunning and dishonorable while Brutus is honorable and wants to do what he believes is best for the Roman society. 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 …show more content…
Cassius is unhappy about Caesar potentially becoming king of Rome and Cassius works to encourage Brutus to plot against Caesar by saying, “except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus and groaning underneath this age’s yoke, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes” (1.2.61-64). Cassius mentions to Brutus that people are speaking about Rome and how they wish Brutus would notice what could happen if Caesar is crowned. Cassius reveals to Brutus that the people are wondering why someone as noble as Brutus is not aware of what could happen if Caesar is crowned. Cassius is practically stroking Brutus’ ego to make him feel as though he is wiser than Caesar and should do something about Caesar. Once Caesar is dead and the triumvirate and Cassius and Brutus’ armies are in battle, Cassius yet again proves he is dishonorable when he exclaims that, “If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, for I will slay myself” (3.1.24-26). Committing suicide was not an honorable thing to do because it was not accepting the consequences of one’s actions. Cassius does not have the same honest reasons for the conspiracy as Brutus does, so he is constantly worried about being caught. Throughout the play, Cassius threatens to kill himself because to him, it is the easy way out and he can escape his problems without solving them. In Act 4, Cassius plays the pity card in order to make Brutus feel bad for him when he complains, “Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know when thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better than ever thou lovedst Cassius” (4.3.110-113). Cassius whines to Brutus that Brutus does not care as much about him as he did about Caesar. Cassius is manipulating Brutus to make him pity him. He knows that Brutus does not want Cassius to be upset so Brutus will try to reason with him, ultimately allowing Cassius to have his
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
Although Brutus attempts to act with honor, and despite the fact that he places all of his trust into the honor of others, there are times when Brutus fails to see the most simple and obvious things, such as clear manipulation by Cassius, and this simple flaw leads him to betray his friend and his honor.
Cassius truly believes Caesar has a frail state of mind and is unfit to have any form of authority in Rome. At first glance, his words and ideology seem to strive for the end of tyranny and become the savior of Romans, but it is clear he puts more emphasis on his rank rather than the well-being of others. When he states that their ranks were not their fault and should be taken into their own hands he intends to take his place by force with no regards for the Roman people or government. Additionally, Cassius shouldn’t be commended for saving Caesar from drowning because he remembrances on that deed to convince others that Caesar is feeble than most, yet he is treated like a god. Cassius’s greed for power motivates his murderous motivations but his ability to manipulate others to his will is also evident in his words. He refers to Caesar’s overwhelming power similar to a Colossus while he and the others “…walk under his huge legs… ” or are hidden in his glory. In reality though, the senators are more esteemed than despised. Another way Cassius misleads others is by faking Caesar’s fascist behaviors toward the commoners. He does so by forging negative letters about “Caesar’s Ambition” for Brutus to be pressured into joining his cause. Consumed by envy, he convinces Brutus to assassinate Caesar for the righteousness of the people but his incentive has
Brutus thinks that killing Caesar is a noble act because it is for the good of Rome. However would Brutus have thought this if Cassius had not tricked him into believing it? It could be argued that Brutus manipulated himself into thinking what he did was honorable when really it was not and he was just following what Cassius wanted him to do. Brutus even says in the beginning of the play that he does not have it in him to kill Caesar. “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius/ That you would have me seek into myself/ For that which is not in me?” (1.2.60-71) It seems that Brutus’s thoughts on the subject change completely after assuring himself that it is for the good of Rome. Cassius does the same thing. He convinces himself that Caesar is corrupt when really he is just jealous of his power. Caesar is also guilty of this. For example, he is superstitious only when it is convenient for him. He does not believe the soothsayer when he tells him to “beware the ides of March,”(citation?) but he believes Decius when he says that Calpurnia’s dream means he will be a good ruler. Caesar does not want to accept that he could be in danger. He trains himself to only believe in good omens.
Brutus was a man of noble birth. He had multiple servants and was often referred to as “Lord”, which indicates a certain level of respect for him. He was a very highly thought of person in Rome. At no point did he ever betray anyone, although he did kill Caesar, he did it to better Rome, not to mislead him. Everything he did was for the advantage of someone else. Even after Brutus dies, Marc Antony says “This was the noblest roman of them all; all the conspirators, save only he, did that they did in the envy of Caesar; he only in a general honest thought and common good to all...” This shows that regardless of brutus killing Caesar, he is still considered noble because he had good intentions. Brutus was also the best friend of Julius Caesar, the most powerful man in Rome. Had he been a commoner, Caesar most likely would not have associated with him or trusted him as a friend.
From the play Cassius has remarked about Caesar” Why, man,he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves.” which means: people are all under Caesar and find that if we follow him we end up with no honor in dying.(1.2.135) Cassius always carefully planned each move he would make to persuade others in joining the conspiracy. Cassius never supported or contributed to Caesar's wishes or demands. He acted like a friend to Caesar to not seem suspicious about his real side. Cassius would always act like he is loyal but in his mind he didn't like him and betrayed him when he could. Brutus talked about Cassius in regard of his disloyalty for Caesar “. . . To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards, For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. . . .”(2.1.162) Cassius’ loyalty remained within himself, and not for others. Cassius started the conspiracy and planned Caesar's
As a person, Cassius is mischievous and good at manipulating, making him the perfect persuader. In order to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar, Cassius bad-mouthed Caesar and pointed out his flaws. “He had a fever when he was in Spain... / How he did shake. ’Tis true, this god did shake / His coward lips did their color fly” (126, 127-128). Cassius is acquaintances with Caesar, so he knows a decent amount about his life. Cassius tells Brutus about a time when he and Caesar were in Spain and Caesar fell ill and had a seizure. By telling Brutus this, Cassius is pointing out flaws in Caesar that make him an unfit leader. Cassius also calls Caesar a coward, showing his utter disrespect and dislike for him both as a person and a leader. Cassius also mocks Caesar by calling him a god, implying that he is the opposite since he would be so weak as to have a seizure. Although Cassius claims that he wants to kill Caesar for the good of the people, those are not his real motivations. Cassius constantly belittles Caesar and tries to prove that he is not a good leader, showing his jealousy. “I had as lief not to be as live to be / In awe of such a thing as I myself” (I.ii.102-103). Cassius does not get why everyone is in awe of Caesar’s glory and believes that he deserves just as much glory as Caesar. Cassius states that he would rather die than worship a man who is below him.
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...
Caius Cassius displays putrid betrayal towards Caesar throughout Caesar’s monarchy. Cassius is one of Caesar’s most loyal friends along with Brutus. At the beginning of the play Cassius hints to Brutus about a possible overthrow of their good friend Caesar. As Cassius discusses in secret with Brutus he portrays Caesar as a not fit ruler. He tells Brutus of a time in their past when Cassius and Caesar were children. “Help me Cassius, or I sink” (Shakespeare
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
Brutus was a well-known person who loved Rome. His love for Rome led to him helping someone murder Julius Caesar, his leader. As a person do you love and care about your state or country so much that you would kill your leader to protect the people in it? Brutus cared so much about Rome and his people that he did just that. He lost his life for Rome, and it truly showed how much he cared for the people, which showed his level of honor. An honorable person is someone who is of high rank, has dignity, and highly respected. In the tragedy, “Julius Caesar”, Brutus proves that he is the most honorable Roman through his loyalty, because he was loved by the people of Rome, he helped kill his leader to help Rome, and he willingly lost his life for Rome.
Both Cassius and Brutus conspire against Caesar, yet Shakespeare depicts Brutus as doing a noble job compared to Cassius as doing a greedy and envious task. Cassius believes that he is stronger than Caesar. Therefore, Cassius does not understand why Caesar is in power and he is not. Cassius is also envious of Caesar. In Act I Scene II, Cassius describes to Brutus the time he had to save Caesar in a swimming race. Since then, Cassius feels superior to Caesar. In Cassius’ mind, kings’ right to rule should be based off of strength, not intelligence or virtue. On the other hand, Brutus knows that although a king should be strong, he must also be virtuous. Brutus always elaborates on the topic of honor. In fact, his first priority is to keep his own honor intact and Brutus fears that Caesar will change when he is crowned. Brutus says, “He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.” (Act II, Scene I, Page 49, lines 12-14) He senses Caesar’s greed for power, and ...
Even though Brutus loves Caesar and knows that Caesar is a good man, he lets Cassius talk him into looking deeper and see that Rome can't have a tyrant as a leader. He tells Cassius "Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself, for that which is not in me?" 1.2.65-67. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary Brutus knows that killing his best friend is not something he wants to do, but he's ready to commit such crime because it's for the good of the Rome and the people of Rome.
In act III, scene I after Antony discovers the group of men that have all killed Caesar Brutus tells the man, "And pity to the general wrong of Rome (as fire drives out the fire, so pity pity) hath done this deed on Caesar" (III.I.185-188). Brutus admits, that while he did kill Caesar for the good of Rome he still felt pity for him, Rome was just more important. Brutus is sympathetic to the pain of Antony at Caesar's death in this scene because he truly does understand that it hurts to see Caesar dead. Further into the play though Brutus sticks to his ideals, his guilt further consumes him as shown in act IV, scene III when Brutus first sees the ghost of Caesar. Brutus is losing sleep, which can not only be contributed to their battle but over the worries of all the events that have transpired thus far, "I think it is the weakness of mine eyes that shapes this monstrous apparition" (IV.III.319-320). With all of Brutus's guilt, though, it is never doubted that what he does is with honorable intentions. Not only is Brutus disgusted at the thought of Cassius accepting bribes during Rome's time in battle in the beginning of act IV scene III, but in act V, scene V lines 74-76 at the end of the play Antony states that of all the people who murdered Caesar, Brutus was the only man who was acting with good
Julius Caesar - A Comparison of Brutus and Cassius In the play Julius Caesar, written and performed by William Shakespeare, there are many characters, but two, Brutus and Cassius, stood out. The play begins in Rome, where a celebration of Julius Caesar's victory over the former ruler of Rome, Pompeii. The victory leads to Caesar's betrayal by his jealous companions. Senators and other high status figures are jealous of Caesar's new and growing power, while others, like Brutus, fear the tyrannical rule Caesar could enforce.