Works of literature often feature characters whose pride or selfishness creates problems. In William Shakespeare’s ‘’Julius Caesar’’, Caesar’s pride creates problems because it causes him to overlook the warnings signs that point him towards his demise. Thus Caesar’s experience with pride ultimately leads to his tragic demise.…
The character Cassius in the tragedy of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare constantly reflects palpable jealousy. In Act I Scene II, Cassius claims “I was born free as Caesar; so were you:/We both have fed as well, and we both/Endure the winter’s cold as well as he…”(Shakespeare, lines 5-7); and feels king Caesar does not deserve superiority over him. In this scene, Cassius is pointing out to Brutus that he and Cassius deserve the power to lead Rome more than Caesar. In order to prove these points, Cassius shares three stories with Brutus in his speech: one of when he and Caesar had a swimming contest; another when he saw Caesar sickly and frail after a fever; and lastly one where Caesar again is portrayed as a weak and sickly man. In the monologue by Cassius directed at Brutus, Cassius uses paradox, self-heroic word choice and similes throughout three separate stories to give examples of Caesar’s weaknesses. Cassius’ main goal becomes to portray Caesar as any other man; and to rationalize killing the king to gain power for (what he…
Julius Caesar in the play "The tragedy of Julius Caesar" was a in line to be the next ruler of Ancient Rome. Caesar becomes drunk in power as most people would when there are roughly a million people adoring you. The people of Ancient Rome truly liked Caesar, in fact in Act 1 Scene 1, a commoner says "..we are taking holiday for Caesar's arrival.." In this act the reader gets a sense on how much the people like Caesar. However it is also shown to the reader how much noblemen do not like or trust Caesar to be a good leader. Throughout Act 1 and 2 Cassius is trying to convince Brutus, one of Caesar's good friends, to help them murder Caesar so he could take the crown. Brutus and his followers believe they are doing a service to the people. That in some way sacrificing Caesar is for the better good. However this being said Caesar's death was not a sacrifice it was a butchery, there is no need to go out and kill someone.…
Cassius admits that Caesar is treated like a god and recalls events of Caesar’s physical weakness. Caesar was a powerful man who planned to become the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire in order to solve the many economic, political and military problems the empire was against. While, there were people that feared such a powerful man because this dictator threatened his/her position. Cassius voices his reason for Caesar being unfit to rule, Cassius says, “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” (Shakespeare, I, i, 139-141). Saying that it is not his/her fate to blame, but that is his/her own fault that they have not done anything to make them great. Cassius blames his and Brutus’s lack of will to grant Caesar to power. Cassius and Brutus’s jealously of Caesar makes it unjustifiable to kill him. In her article, Alice Shalvi argues, “Shakespeare implicitly condemns the conspiracy, then, on two scores: firstly, because it inevitably involves moral corruption even in the best and noblest of men and, secondly, because murder is always no matter in what…
Brutus and Cassius had a plan which they would assassinate Julius Caesar. They both agreed they wanted to, but for different reasons. Brutus says that it would ruin the republic because the people would want someone like Caesar as king. Cassius is irritated because he believes that Julius Caesar is just as normal as Brutus and himself. He thinks that Caesar is going to be treated as a god rather than a king and Caesar didn’t do anything to deserve to be king. Cassius brings in cases where Caesar is a mortal man such as Caesar not being able to swim and Caesar having a seizure in Spain.…
Marcus Brutus is a man good enough to be a tragic hero showing his goodness in every sense that everyone else knew it in the play. Some people say Julius Caesar is a tragic hero because the citizens of Rome love Caesar so much that they offer him the throne three times. Julius Caesar had already been the leader of Rome without being king, and had led his own army to many great victories. Here are three obvious signs of much power. Caesar can brag of his prosperity through his wealth, his many friends, and his loving wife. Caesar's tragic flaw helps to make his death more of a tragedy. When Julius Caesar enters the Senate, Cassius worries that the assassination plot has been discovered. Trebonius draws Antony away from the Senate room. Brutus and Cassius kneel at Caesar's feet and repeat Metellus's request. Caesar answers that he will not change his mind now. Decius and Ligarius, followed by Casca, come forward to kneel at Caesar's feet. Casca stabs Caesar first, and the…
¨Its funny how, sometimes people you take a bullet for are the ones behind the trigger.¨ In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Caesar is rising to power, meanwhile, his friend Brutus, is losing faith in him. Caesar think that Brutus and him had a true friendship and would do anything for him, but Brutus doesn't feel the same way. Caesar and Brutus do not have a true friendship because if Caesar was given true power Brutus knows he would become corrupt which is why Brutus just wanted a political alliance.…
Both men are of aristocratic origin and see the end of their ancient privilege in Caesar's political reforms and conquests. Envious of Caesar's power and prestige, Cassius cleverly probes to discover where Brutus' deepest sympathies lie. As a man of highest personal integrity, Brutus opposes Caesar on principle, despite his friendship with him. Cassius cautiously inquires about Brutus' feelings if a conspiracy were to unseat Caesar; he finds Brutus not altogether against the notion; that is, Brutus shares "some aim" with Cassius but does not wish "to be any further moved." The two men part, promising to meet again for further…
Brutus acts out of a desire to limit the self-serving aspects of his actions, ultimately dooming himself, defining him as the tragic hero. For example, he ignores Cassius’ consul and allows Antony to speak to the crowd at the funeral, creating tension between himself and the Roman people. By doing this, Brutus identifies himself as a bad guy in the eyes of the public and upsets Cassius. This fault could be identified as pride within himself, making it impossible for other to assist him. In addition, Brutus self-righteously condemns Cassius for his form of fund raising that Brutus believes to be detestable. This action shakes their friendship and distances them from one another. Brutus often demonstrates self-righteousness in his endless search for what is good and right. Overall, Brutus brings his downfall upon himself by seeking gain for him and the Roman citizens.…
Cassius is able to use honour and Brutus’s idealism against him and manipulate him to see Julius Caesar as a treat to his perfect world. Cassius is also able to have Brutus to join his conspiracy and to help Brutus to…
Cassius then starts to suggest things that Brutus' own humbleness won't let him acknowledge. Cassius hints that Brutus has a reputation for being a really honorable guy, and that everybody agrees about this except Caesar. As Brutus begins to catch the whiff of treachery in Cassius' talk, Cassius assures Brutus he's being serious about the whole "noble" thing and not just flattering him. Without saying so, Cassius suggests that a lot of respected Romans think it would be really nice if someone like Brutus led Rome, even though it would mean "disposing" of Caesar.…
In order to serve Rome the with justice it deserves, Brutus and Cassius agree to sneakily deceive and betray Caesar in order to lead him to his demise. Cassius entices Brutus into thinking that killing Caesar would be for the good of Rome. Eventually Brutus admits to Cassius, “I do fear the people / Choose Caesar for their king.” (1.2.78-9) Driving Brutus on, Cassius agree to meet with him again to discuss the matter, while he discusses the plot later that night with Casca. When the plot finally comes together and is executed, most of the senate is exceedingly surprised. Caesar felt literally heartbroken. Furthermore, Caesar expresses his excruciating betrayal and heartbreak when finally, Brutus, who Caesar trusted as his closest friend and…
Because of their differences, Brutus and Cassius rarely agree on matters. They argue constantly, and both have strong opinions. Cassius is furious at Brutus for publicly disgracing a friend of his for taking bribes from the Sardinians. Brutus is equally furious that Cassius would defend someone who takes bribes, arguing that Caesar was killed for that exact behavior. As the upcoming battle puts stress on the two men, they grow farther and farther apart. Before the battle, the two men are able to put their differences behind themselves and forgive each other. After struggling for so long to get along, their relationship is left in good terms. Cassius says a final goodbye to Brutus in Act V Scene I lines 119-121, by stating,…
In Julius Caesar, Cassius is the main person who sets up the whole murder plot on Caesar. He’s the one who convinced Brutus, who was very close with Caesar, to turn on him. His reasons for wanting to kill Caesar was that he was weak and that he doesn’t deserve the position of ruler more than anyone else does. “What’s so special about ‘Caesar’? Why should his name be proclaimed more than yours? Write them together-yours is just as good a name. Pronounce them-it is just as nice to say. Weigh them-it’s just as heavy.” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene 2, Page 7). Anyone can see in this quote that Cassius is trying to convince Brutus to go against his beloved Caesar by showing him that he is no better than him. Brutus ends up joining the other conspirators not because he thinks Caesar is weak, but because he loves Rome and would do anything to protect it. He though that the power Caesar had would corrupt him and therefor ruin the city of Rome. “If, then, that friend demands to know why I rose up against Caesar, this is my answer: it’s not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (Shakespeare Act 3, Scene 2). Cassius killed Caesar out of jealousy while Brutus did it for Rome.…
Cassius boasts to Brutus about him saying Caesar called out to me “help me Cassius, or I sink” when Cassius saved him it shows that he is powerful, although he may feel like Caesar owes him something because he saved his life. If Cassius hadn’t saved him would he be where Caesar is today? Would the people be cheering for him? This makes Cassius a huge threat to Caesar. He is described as “hungry” Hungry for power. Shakespeare gives off the effect Cassius want’s revenge. This is backed up by the quote “this man has become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body” This implies that Cassius want’s more, that Caesar is in debt to him and Cassius should be treated better and not having to “bow” to Caesar. As he is speaking in third person he is almost telling it like a story, so that even he has pity on “Cassius” It is like Cassius is removing his personal views from the story and Brutus can no longer have the excuse that Cassius has something personal against him.…