Cassius: Tyrant of Manipulation Many characters in Julius Caesar demonstrate qualities of contrasting ambitious objectives. Deception and manipulation appear to be two of the main qualities contributing to the plot for the assassination of Caesar. Although Brutus is seen as the leader of the conspirators Cassius established himself as a deceitful manipulator with an immoral agenda. Although seen throughout the play, Cassius’s soliloquy primarily demonstrates the immoral aspects of his character as he is driven by manipulating Brutus’s political position for personal advancement. Cassius’s despises Caesar due to his popularity amongst the Roman people as well as his ambitious pursuit of becoming the sole ruler of Rome. Caesar dislikes Cassius …show more content…
as he believes that his shady motives could jeopardize his rise to supremacy: "Cassius has a lean and hungry look;/ He thinks too much: such men are dangerous”(1.2.135). Caesar states that as Cassius is always scheming in attempts to achieve power, making him extremely dangerous as he is always looking for circumstances that can potentially benefit him. Cassius’s unpopularity led to the understanding that in order to organize a revolt he needed a person of high merit and respect to influence. If Cassius were to personally organize a rebellion resulting in Caesar’s death, people would conclude that such an act of mutiny was committed for a personal vendetta rather than for the betterment of Rome; “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus”(310-311). Cassius chooses Brutus to be the face of his rebellion because he feels that although Brutus is noble and respected, he is also a fool. As a result of Cassius’s unpopularity, he needed Brutus, who is adored by many, including Caesar. Cassius states that he respects and cherishes his and Brutus’s friendship, however states, “Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see, Thy honorable mettle may be wrought from that it is disposed” (304-306). Cassius feels he is capable of bending and manipulating Brutus’s character, thus only exposing his deceitfulness, allowing the readers to understand how he achieved a reputation of unpopularity amongst his peers. In contrast with Cassius, both Brutus and Caesar share corresponding attributes as they are both respected by the public, as well as their aristocracies. Cassius’s choice for Brutus to become the scapegoat of the conspiracy will take all potential consequences off of himself. In addition, Cassius attempts to make Brutus feel guilty based upon the possibility of the republic falling to Caesar’s rule as he did nothing but sit back and observe, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars// but in ourselves, that we are underlings”(1.2.140-141). Cassius’s word choice of “underlings” demonstrates how fate is not a contributing factor in the decisions we make; rather, “underlings” represents how the decisions we make are influenced by weakness not by the turns of fate. By Cassius saying this it demonstrates how he is able to associate how lack of decision making due to apprehension could lead to undesirable outcomes, therefore seen in the quote attempting to inspire Brutus to take action! Brutus is unable to see that Cassius’s individual beliefs of fearing Caesar becoming a monarch is what is fueling the encouragement. Furthermore he establishes fear in Brutus as he proposes that he has the necessary attributes to stop such a tyrant; however, he may have become less of a man than he used too; “There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king. (1.2.158-160)” This also demonstrates that Brutus is successfully influenced by flattery as demonstrated by Cassius. In other attempts to convince Brutus to join the assassination plot he states that although people chant Caesar’s name he is no more of a man than either of them and uses logic to help reinforce this message. Cassius told Brutus a story of how he had to save Caesar from drowning when they were children, thus only reinforcing the message that Caesar is only a man, “Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!'(1.2.12). This quote only establishes Cassius’s hated for Caesar further as it represents how Caesar is no more than a man than he is and is completely capable of being seen as weak or vulnerable. This story is very significant as it helps the readers understand the resentment Cassius has toward Caesar after knowing that he is as much as a man as he is yet is forced to bow to him in the streets as if he is a god, “And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him.”(1.2.155-118) This is also important as it only further demonstrates that Cassius’s is driven by a personal hatred for Caesar as they were great friends as children now his ego has been inflated so intensely as he is considered a god amongst men. Cassius’s deceitful maneuvering is revisited as he reminds Brutus that it is his ancestral responsibility to take all appropriate actions in the current situation.
He describes that his ancestor was responsible for killing the last king of Rome thus making it Brutus’s diplomatic responsibility to strongly consider the assassination. Dishonesty is represented by Cassius in his Soliloquy as he stated, “I will this night, In several hands, in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens,” (311-313). Here, Cassius attempts to influence Brutus’s thinking further by throwing stones with letters attached through his window written by citizens of Rome expressing their great respect for Brutus. Many situations allow the reader to deconstruct intentions of characters and distinguish their true characteristics which contribute to defining ones priorities. As Cassius enables Brutus to believe that many people would support his decision to turn against Caesar, this exposes Brutus as a fool, however, it more importantly demonstrates that Cassius is a liar. This act is most primarily associated with adulation as well as dishonesty as it relates to a potion of the text where Cassius is calculatingly ranting about how his worthiness and popularity is unbounded, “ That you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in
Rome”(1.2.57-60). Through many cunning situations it is clear that Cassius is able to manipulate Brutus into establishing himself as the leader of the assassination plot of Caesar. Brutus’s attributes contrast Cassius’s in many ways as readers are able to see that Cassius’s ambitious to assassinate Caesar are a result of personal animosity and not for the betterment of Rome. A primary example of this is seen through Cassius’ soliloquy where he demonstrates immoral aspects of his character paralleling his sole purpose of personal self-indulgence.
The idea of ignorance, and the belief of a false faith, turns this noble man into a vulgar grave, with virtuous notions. Brutus’ ignorance creates an expectation that develops a path that leads him awry. When Brutus mentions, “I would not love Cassius; yet I love him well” (1.2.81-88 ), he portrays his internal conflict. Brutus depicts the struggle between Cassius’ acquisitions and Caesar’s actions.
In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus is presented as an honourable and loyal servant to Rome. In the opening Act of the play, the audience learns that Brutus is devoted to both Rome and Caesar. As the play continues to progress into Act II, his intentions are slowly corrupted by a band of conspirators and Brutus turns against Caesar. This process of corruption in the opening couple of Acts shows that Brutus is an honourable Roman who is taken advantage of to suit the needs of others.
Tragedies are more often than not titled after the tragic hero. A piece that its title challenged by its name is Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. Many people contend that the title should 've been named after Brutus and not Julius Caesar. And Brutus should be the title since he is the implicit tragic hero.
He is so motivated by ambition that he decides to kill Caesar, the leader of Rome. Although dedication can be a good quality, in Cassius, it blinds him to all other things and makes him ruthless in his quest to rule Rome. Cassius’s desire for power is evident when he states, "Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings" (1.2.146-148). Cassius’ ambition leads him to go as far as to convince a dear friend with manipulation and false notes to help him plot to kill Caesar. His ambition makes him power hungry and he lacks the honor to back up his overzealous behavior. Cassius envies Caesar and because of this he resorts to bribery, assassinations, and imposing taxes for personal
Cassius is thinking about how he can manipulate Brutus. He comes up with a plan to write letters that appear to be from the people of Rome saying that they hate Caesar and want Brutus to rule. Cassius thinks, “Well Brutus thou art noble. Yet I see...and after this let Caesar seat his sure,” (I.ii.304-318). Cassius says that Brutus is a noble guy but he could bend his shape and use ot for his own will to kill Caesar. Cassius is using letters that seem to be Romans’ to make Brutus hate Caesar because the people of Rome are Brutus’
He held his moral values for Rome and its people above his values for friendship. Brutus' values for Rome led him to join a conspiracy against Caesar that was particularly put together by Cassius. Brutus mainly joined as he did not t want Caesar to turn his back on Rome. At certain times throughout the play, Brutus' trustworthiness was so constant that it made him seem rather dim-witted. He was also the most morally strong character in the play. The leadership qualities in him encouraged and urged him to execute the assassination of Caesar as it was the "best thing to do for the public and for himself". Brutus also possesses certain qualities such as idealism, nobility, and uprightness that makes him somewhat of a tragic hero. His greatest flaw is his love for Rome and its people turning into naivety. Yet, his morality may also be considered one of the most admirable traits. He did not desire for the assassination of a close friend; he desired the best for the public. Brutus finds Caesar's desire of pride to be revolting. However, he has his own problems with pride. Brutus shows great pride when it comes to his family. Cassius uses this weakness to his advantage in Act one, Scene two, when he tries to convince Brutus that he should take over Caesar's throne. Cassius asks: "'Caesar?' Why should that name be sounded more than yours?" Brutus is an idealist who holds honor above everything else. Therefore,
Cassius, a member of the senate who possessed an envious attitude towards Caesar, had created a plan to strip Caesar of his power. He persuaded the other members of the senate to believe Caesar was an ambitious tyrant who held too much power over Rome. Brutus, however, had first declined Cassius’ proposal of assassinating Caesar, remaining loyal to his morals and his leader. Due to his opposition, Cassius develped another plan to manipulate Brutus by throwing forged letters into his window, expressing the plebians fear that Caesar would demolish the Roman Empire and tarnish the reputation of previous Roman leaders. Upon reading these letters, Brutus felt
Although Caesar was ambitious he was also very naive when it came to the assassination plot against him. The naive sense Caesar expedited later lead to his untimely death. Marcus Brutus was a nobleman, the people of Rome respected and valued his ideas. His ego, patriotic nature, and honesty are all flaws that can’t be masked within himself. Brutus’s ego for his family and his honesty is used by Cassius to persuade Brutus into joining in the plot against his dear friend Caesar. Brutus’s patriotic nature for Rome is the main reason he joined in the assassination. In the play Brutus confesses that he isn’t doing it out of jealousy but to save the Roman people. Antony was loyal individual, he honored Caesar and wanted him to become the dictator of Rome. Throughout the play you notice Antony’s loyalty, even after Caesar dies. Antony wants the conspirators to pay for the actions of killing his friend by persuading the Roman people to turn against Brutus and Cassius. Antony tricks the conspirators into thinking that he is their accomplice. Cassius was a jealous man but he was also very knowledgeable. He hated the fact that Caesar had gained all of this power over the Roman people and decided . He had
Cassius uses clever tactics to fool a naïve Brutus, and he even says himself that “if I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, He should not humour me.” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 312-313). By proving that Cassius knows his motives are to hurt Brutus, Shakespeare is giving the audience information that Brutus himself is unaware of, which is an instance of dramatic irony. By choosing to confide in Cassius, Brutus mistakenly wraps himself up in a murderous plot that is supported by false claims and so-called “supporters” of the cause that were conjured up by the deceitful mind of Cassius. Brutus simply wanted to do what was best for Rome, and in the days leading up to the planned assassination, Cassius compiles an assortment of forged letters in support of Caesar’s slaying, which further convinced Brutus to carry out the plan. If not for his gullibility, Brutus would have trusted his best friend, Caesar, in leading Rome, and his demise brought on by the assassination would not have
...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.
In Act, I Scene II Cassius is persuaded a bit after caesar is warned by someone to beware the ides of march. Cassius worries that Brutus is not being friendly to him. Next, he learns that Brutus hasn’t been friendly because he has been troubled by his inner thoughts. After that, Cassius is told of his greatness, and Brutus tries to instill in him a sense that he is better than caesar. Caesar is almost crowned king and it is revealed that Brutus is afraid of it. The two tell stories of the weakness of caesar, and Cassius begins to understand what Brutus wants him to do.
Caesar’s friendship shall soon be lost to dishonesty and decisiveness. Brutus, Cassius, and the conspirators develop a fake friendship with Caesar that eventu...
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Shakespeare wastes no time in incorporating the recurring theme of manipulation into Act 1 of the play. Enter the ever so cunning Cassius, with his manipulative ways trailing behind as he works his way into recruiting Brutus to his crew of conspirators. During scene 2 of Act 1 when Cassius encounters Brutus he wastes no time in diving into his chance and asks Brutus a very peculiar question, " Can you see your face?". Cassius is asking Brutus if he knows how others view him and then offers to illuminate Brutus of the great love and adoration the people Rome have for him. Cassius is flattering Brutus and persuading him that he is equal to Caesar. Cassius is hoping that by making Brutus realize how amazing he
The Character of Brutus in Julius Caesar Brutus was a very important character in the play Julius Caesar. written by William Shakespeare,. He helped plan a plot against one of the most powerful people in Rome and killed the king. Brutus was well renowned for his deep thinking, his honor, and most importantly, his belief in a stoicism. Brutus's stoic qualities played a major role in his character.
While there are many main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the use of manipulation and deception has the biggest impact. Many characters use deception and manipulation to strengthen their plot and to allow the outcome to turn out the way they want. Cassius, Casca and Decius are the characters that use this theme for their own benefit in the play.