Brutus and Cassius

In Julius Caesar, Brutus is the puppet of Cassius. Cassius controls Brutus by fooling him into believing that killing Caesar would be good for Rome. Brutus is portrayed as a very easily impressioned and idealistic person. His characteristic makes him a potential follower for Cassius.
Brutus is Cassius’s tool to get to Caesar. Brutus is close to Caesar and believes anything if it is for the “good” of Rome. His idealism becomes his flaw. Cassius knows that to get to Brutus he has to convince him that the plot is for the good of Rome. From the beginning Cassius tries to recruit Brutus into his rebel group:
“I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, well, honor is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men think of this life, but, for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be I was born free as Caesar. So were you. We both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter's cold as well as he. For once upon a raw and gusty day, the troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me, “Darest thou, Cassius, now leap in with me into and swim to yonder point?” Upon the word, this angry flood accoutred as I was, I plungèd in and bade him The torrent roared, and we did buffet it follow. So indeed he did. With lusty sinews, throwing it aside and stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber did I the tired Caesar. 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. He had a fever when he was in Spain, and when the fit was on him, I did mark how he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake! His coward lips did from their color fly, and that same eye whose bend doth awe the world did lose his luster. I did hear him groan, ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans mark him and write his speeches in their books— “Alas,” it cried, “give me some drink, Titinius,” As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me a man of such a feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone.”

In this speech Cassius says that Rome does not deserve a ruler who is weak and who really is not god-like. He is implying that he and Brutus are better. Also, Cassius allies with Brutus through sending him false letters:
‘“Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!” “Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake.” Such instigations have been often dropped Where I have took them up. —“Shall Rome, etc.” Thus must I piece it out: “Shall Rome stand under one man's awe?” What, Rome? My ancestors did from the streets of Rome The Tarquin drive when he was called a king. —“Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreated To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, If the redress will follow, thou receivest Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!’

With these letters Cassius wants Brutus to believe that if he does not dispose of Caesar he would be acting as a traitor, he would sleep through the fall of Rome. He also draws up analogies: Tarquin to Caesar. He makes Caesar sound like the new Tarquin, the tyrant. This rather simple letter turned the loyal Brutus into a rebel conspirator. Even though Brutus does have doubts about murdering Caesar, he still does it. Brutus seems to forget how close to he is Caesar and how much he really loves him. After the assassination, Brutus turns into Cassius. He gives speeches to the people, which justify his actions. He tells the citizens that there would be a tyranny and abolishmen of freedom once Caesar would gain full authority. All the fall statements said by Cassius were completely believed by Brutus. At the end, Brutus becomes the puppeteer, Cassius. Even though he believes his statements are true, they are just as false as Cassius’s. In the play, Cassius needed some amount of help. He found this succor in Brutus. Luckily for him, Brutus was an idealistic and gullible person. Cassius influenced Brutus through his weakness, idealism. Making Brutus believe that his goals are for the goood of Rome was key to Cassius’ success. With Brutus, Cassius succeeded in destroying Caesar. Cassius had become successful and at the same time he made Brutus the real puppeteer and leader of the rebels.