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How friendship is shown in julius caesar
How friendship is shown in julius caesar
Appearance and reality in William Shakespeare
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“A weed is no more than a lower in disguise”-James Russell Lowell. Appearance versus reality is a literary theme that has been embraced by writers for generations. William Shakespeare, one of the world’s most brilliant writers often uses this theme.Throughout many of his literary works, Shakespeare uses the theme of appearance versus reality , to mask a character’s true intentions, only to be revealed later on in the play. In his play, Julius Caesar, Shakespeare reveals that, while people and circumstances appear one way, there are frequently hidden motives or a deeper meaning beneath the visible surface. Brutus maintains an apparent friendship with Caesar while planning the conspiracy and Antony proclaims an illegitimate allegiance with Brutus and the other conspirators following the death of Caesar. Furthermore, Cassius befriends Brutus with the supposed intentions of joining forces to overthrowing Caesar the corrupt leader. As well as, Antony’s proclaimed allegiance to Brutus and Cassius following caesar’s death .The purpose of appearance versus reality in literature is to strategically create a layered story as well create plot twists.
From the play’s very beginning there are individuals
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whose intentions and actions are not made apparent to the audience. Marcus Brutus is among these individuals. Conserving his friendship with Caesar regardless of his duties as a member of the anti-Caesar conspiracy. In act 1 scene 2 of the play, Brutus’ friendship with Caesar appears genuine to audience members, as the two men discuss the outburst of a soothsayer during Caesar’s victory parade. As the play progresses the audience learn of Brutus’ true feelings towards Caesar, as he and Cassius discuss their leaders integrity. Brutus remains friends with caesar to uphold an element of normality and divert any suspicion from himself and his fellow conspirators. On the morning of the Ides of March, Brutus and Casca, along with every member of the conspiracy, travel to caesar’s residence and persuade him to attend the senate meetings later in the day. To caesar, the action is one of camaraderie and solidarity. In reality, the men came to confirm caesar’s presence at the Capitol later in the day in order for their plans to murder caesar to come into reality. In summary, the attitudes of Brutus and the conspirators before the assassination of caesar are proof of the use of appearance versus reality in the play. The mysterious blossom of friendship between Cassius and Brutus in the first act of the play, is sheer confirmation of the use of appearance versus reality in the play.
In Act 1 scene 2, Cassius shows signs of compassion for Brutus following the return of Caesar from battle . Through the eyes of Brutus, Cassius’ concern appears genuine. Brutus truly believes every word Cassius says regarding his character in the eyes of the Roman people , as well as Caesar’s integrity as the leader of Rome. In reality, Cassius strategically planned the conversation in efforts to turn Brutus against Caesar and recruit Brutus as a member of the conspiracy. In brief, the reasoning behind the sudden blossom of friendship between Cassius and Brutus is an example of appearance versus
reality. Antony’s specious proclamation of allegiance to Brutus and the other conspirators, was a clear example of the use of appearance versus reality by Shakespeare in the play. In the first scene of the third act of the play, Antony sends a servant to the Capitol to make known his new allegiance to Brutus and the conspirators. Through the eyes of the conspirators Antony’s words are genuine. Brutus believes every word Antony says and sees no reason to question him. Cassius on the other hand appears more skeptical of Antony’s sudden change of heart. In reality, Antony’s proclamation was completely insincere and served only as a distraction and a way to gain popularity amongst the Roman people, and later turn them against the conspirators. In a word, Antony’s proclamation of allegiance to conspirators, revealed to the audience another example the use of appearance versus reality in the play. In retrospect, through Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar , sheer patterns are made known to the audience using the theme of appearance versus reality . Where people and circumstances may appear one way, only to later reveal hidden motives or a deeper meaning beneath the surface. Such as, the friendship of Brutus and Caesar in spite of Brutus’ affiliation with Cassius a member of the conspiracy to overthrow Caesar. Also, the reasoning behind the sudden blossom of friendship between Cassius and Brutus. Then, Antony’s proclamation of allegiance to conspirators following Caesar’s death . Appearance versus reality gives playwrights as well as authors the ability to show an audience/readers that even in fictional creations things may not always be the way they seem.
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...
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
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
Throughout the play many characters are not who they turn out to be. Julius Caesar is a very good judge of character, he does not ruts Cassius, he says “ He thinks too much man, such men are dangerous”( shakespeare,1.2.195). Caesar foreshadows now dangerous Cassius is, Cassius is one person who stabs Caesar. Unlike Caesar, Brutus trusts people too much to see who they are. After Caesar 's death, Brutus trusts Marc Antony to give his speech, but Cassius says “ You know not what you do. Do not consent./ that Antony speak in his funeral. I know you how much the people may be moved/ by that which he will utter.” (shakespeare,3.2.333-335). Caesar was an amazing military leader, Brutus was not. Before Caesar becomes king, he gained land back to Rome “ Julius Caesar has just returned to Rome after a long civil war in which he defeated the forces of pompey” (applebee) Caesar led his military to victory and has the chance to take full control of Rome. brutus is a humble military leader company to Caesar. After Brutus won his battle over Octavius’ army, he left his men begin looting. Instead of helping Cassius’ army “ O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,/ who, having some advantages on Octavius/ took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil/ whilst we by Antony are all enclosed .(Shakespeare,5.3.5-8) Brutus had a bad call when he did not send his army to help Cassius. With Caesars flaw being
Cassius first shows his character of deceit when he put false notes from people in the window of Brutus. This was so Brutus would think a lot of people would be with him if he ...
In life, people and things are not always as they appear. William Shakespeare displays this idea throughout his play, Julius Caesar. The play portrays the historical murder of one of ancient Rome's most precious leaders, Julius Caesar. The play takes its readers through the minds of the conspirators as they plot this massive murder and deal with the responsibilities of its consequences. During the aftermath of Caesar's death, Octavius talks to Antony about how they should bring peace back to Rome. He states, "And some that smile...have in their hearts...millions of mischiefs" (4.1.50-51). Here, Octavius is referring to the false appearance of the conspirators. He says that they might appear harmless, but behind their false smiles is a heart full of dirty tricks. He is also saying that someone's outward appearance doesn't always symbolize how he or she feels inside. This theme of appearance versus reality can be seen various times throughout Julius Caesar. It is developed through the personalities and actions of Antony, Brutus, and Cassius. These characters deceive their friends and add to the intriguing plot of the play.
As the play opens, Brutus is known as a Roman nobleman and a member of one of the most illustrious families in Rome. He is first seen in Act I, scene ii, as one of Caesar’s “close friends” who is part of his entourage. But while alone with Cassius he is persuaded into taking a part in the assassination of Caesar. He is weary at first, and it seems as though it took Cassius some time to talk him into agreeing, yet Brutus looked at Caesar as some type of threat as well.
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.
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.
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
Brutus also frequently demonstrated many acts of affection toward others. In Act 1, Scene 2, he is reluctant to join Cassius's conspiracy because he did not want to betray Caesar. He had to weigh his choices and in Act 3, Scene 2, Brutus kills Caesar only because he is afraid of what will happen to Rome if Caesar remains ruler. He knew the commoners life would be difficult with the ruling of Caesar. He realizes what a honorable man Caesar was. This is shown again in the same Act and Scene when Brutus allows Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral even though Cassius highly disagreed. Brutus realized Caesar deserved an proper ceremony, and that the best way to do that would be to let Caesar's best friend speak.
...re about Cassius through the things he does, such as persuading others in the direction of things that go towards what he wants. However, Brutus’ character can be more closely examined by the dialogues of others. As a result of all of this, Shakespeare’s audience has a negative attitude towards Cassius and a positive attitude towards Brutus.
The Theme of Appearance vs. Reality in William Shakespeare's Works Characters within one of William Shakespeare's greatest tragic plays. Hamlet, appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested with many falsehoods and deceptions. Characters such as Polonius, Claudius, etc. and Hamlet gives an impression of a person who is sincere and genuine. but behind their masks are plagued with lies and evil.
Cassius, main conspirator in this play, initially draws Brutus into the inner circle. From the beginning of the play, Cassius seeks Brutus for the newest addition to the plot and knows if Brutus is added, the plot will be successful. Even in the first scene of Act II Cassius is flattering Brutus in order to entice Brutus into joining the murderous group. "Your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, speaking of Brutus, and groaning underneath this age's yolk, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." (p. 350 ln. 55-60) This quote depicts when Cassius first starts to flatter Brutus and say Brutus is the most respected and noble man in Rome. These compliments and forms of flattery are what first showed Brutus was kind of man the people see him as and what time of power Brutus could produce in himself.