Calderon
Lit 2
5/24/13
Julius Caesar Exam Part Three In the play, Shakespeare shows us the characteristics of Brutus, Julius Caesar, and Cassius, and shows their flaws to teach us about basic human nature. Shakespeare shows the flaws of pride, shown by Caesar, jealousy shown by Cassius, and gullibility shown by Brutus. Caesar practices the flaw of pride when he is warned by people to beware the ides of March and Artemidorus says, “O Caesar, read my first, for mine’s a suit that touches Caesar nearer,” (93), then Caesar replies with, “What touches us ourself shall be last served,” (93). This quote shows his pride, because he doesn’t want to open and read the letter and be touched by it then become emotional, which to him is weakness. If he lost his pride and read the letter it would have saved his life, but he was too arrogant. Shakespeare is showing us to be open minded and to accept all things, and to not be ashamed of being emotional or showing weakness. The next character, Cassius, practices the flaw of jealousy, Cassius is jealous of all the praise Caesar gets and is jealous that Caesar is king, and he is not. Here Cassius is showing his jealousy towards Caesar while trying to convince Brutus that they are equal: 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.(21)
Fifita 2
Cassius is venting to Brutus about Caesars growing power and pride, while manipulating him to conspire against Caesar at the same time. He is also saying people like Caesar are destined to be murdered. Shakespeare is trying to teach us that too much of one thing can harm us, such as jealousy, a little jealousy is just being competitive but too much jealousy could lead to murder. The next character, Brutus, practices the flaw of honor, in this quote Brutus is talking to Cassius, “I love the name of honor more than I fear death,” (19). This quote