Preview

Comparing Brutus And Cassius In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
477 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing Brutus And Cassius In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Brutus and Cassius
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, a group of people killed Caesar, a man who was to become King, because they felt he was to weak. Brutus and Cassius were leaders of this group. They have a few similarities and differenes. How they read people, who they trust, and how making decisions is how they are different and how they feel about Caesar becoming king is how they are similar.
In the play, Brutus and Cassius are differernt in many ways. After Caesar was murdered, Antony tells Brutus that he is on his side but wanted to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus says he can speak as long as he doesn’t blame the conspiators in his speech. “You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, but speak all good you can devise of Caesar and say you do’t by our permission; else shall
…show more content…
He wants to make them chase after them, maybe give up, or them get tired and not be expecting Cassius and Brutus. He knows this is right because he’s good at reading people while Brutus isn’t. But after all, Cassius still goes along with Brutus. This is another way they are different.
One way Cassius and Brutus are similar is because they both didn’t want Caesar to become king. Cassius didn’t think Caesar was fit or strong enough to rule Rome and Brutus killed him “for the good of Rome”(588). They both killed Caesar in the end even though they had totally different reasons for it, but they both wanted him dead and did not seem to grieve over his death.This is a way Brutus and Cassius are similar.
In the end, Cassius and Brutus have many differences but not a lot of similarities. They both wanted Caesar dead because they felt he was not fit for ruling, but both were different because one trusted more than they should and the other was good at reading people. This is how Brutus and Cassius similar and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In his second monologue, Cassius focuses on pathos and logos in order to appeal to his audience, Brutus, directly. Cassius smartly avoids further development of ethos in this monologue to make sure Brutus doesn’t think this is all personal for Cassius and deter him from the conspiracy. Therefore, as mentioned before, Cassius’ intent for his second monologue is to appeal to Brutus. He wants to raise Brutus to the same level as Caesar and make him see that he is just as important in I.ii.9-15. This makes Brutus feel good about himself, and successfully makes Cassius’ arguments against Caesar more personal to Brutus and slowly pulls him into the conspiracy. Cassius could’ve used anyone’s name in his explanation that the name is equal to Caesar, but the fact that he used Brutus’ name made his pathos much stronger and directed at the audience for greater persuasion. This is where Cassius strongly considers his audience and knows that by implementing them into the argument he will have a higher chance at success. When Cassius then shifts into appeal to logos, he explains that Caesar, one man, is taking up all the fame and glory of Rome when there is room for much more than just one single, not even god-like man (I.ii.18-25). He explains once again just like he did in the concluding sentence of his first paragraph that it does not make sense that one man receive all the power and “bear the palm alone” (I.ii.43) He dives into the values of his audience and the people of that time who valued democracy, equality and even a divvied up triumvirate of three leaders who ruled Rome simultaneously in a checks and balances sort of way to avoid absolute leadership like the one Caesar is holding. Brutus of course would agree that, yes, why should a single man rule when the people or Rome and its government is based on a triumvirate with democratic…

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cassius's perspective is very much that Caesar is a mere man and no better than any other Roman. 'I was born as free as Caesar, so were you.' His recollection of the time he saved Caesar from drowning had a great influence on his view on Caesar, “Tis true, this god did shake.” He ironically utilizes the term ‘god’ as he was astonished that a man of such physical weakness can now have the reputation of greatness, “'Ye gods, it doth amaze me / A man of such a feeble temper should / So get the start of the majestic world.” Cassius’ soliloquy exposes his deceit and manipulation, “Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see Thy honourable metal may be wrought from that it is disposed.” His play on words showing his belief that he will be able to manipulate Brutus; honourable “mettle,” as if it were heated metal being changed into something new and finally target Caesar with his own loved companion. There is an element of personal jealousy in Cassius. It is evident in his metaphorical language:, 'Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like a Colossus and we petty men' His simile of ‘Colossus’ also produces imagery of the flawed Caesar. Cassius represents Caesar as a tyrant. Cassius takes it personally and will act on the matter. Therefore, through a variety of literary techniques, embedded in various character convictions and opposing views, Shakespeare is able to blur…

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cassius is able to assess his audience and use that to his advantage. In this case, his audience is Brutus, a thoughtful if slightly oblivious patrician and friend of Caesar’s. Brutus has a strong love for Rome,…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Was Julius Caesar Bad

    • 884 Words
    • 4 Pages

    As far as military strategy goes Cassius had the better brain for it. Brutus was not a very good military strategist. Cassius knew that it would be a good idea to kill Antony. He thought that Antony would talk the people into trying to kill Brutus and…

    • 884 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cassies Conspires

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, there are a few characters with great soliloquies, who have an extremely dramatic effect on the plot of the story. One of those characters happens to be Cassius, Caesar’s enemy. During Act I, scene ii, Cassius starts plotting against Caesar, as he is now the new leader of Rome. Although Cassius is the one going against Caesar, he manipulates Brutus, Caesar’s…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Brutus is very trusting, almost to the point of gullibility. An example of this is seen when Antony says “That’s all I seek: and am moreover suitor that I may produce his body to the marketplace and in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of his funeral.” Brutus responds with “You shall, Mark Antony.” This backfires on Brutus when Antony uses the opportunity to start a civil war between him and the conspirators. On the other hand, Cassius was a little more sceptical of Antony’s sudden shift in loyalty, even saying “(I) do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral.” This shows what seems to be Cassius’ undeniable ability to seemingly read other people, which directly contrasts with Brutus’ gullibility. Another example that proves this about Cassius is when Caesar says “He reads much / he is a great observer and he looks quite through the deeds of men.”…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Decius Brutus and Mark Antony, both Roman Senators, eulogize Julius Caesar, each using a different technique and approach. Brutus, in a somewhat arrogant, to the point, eulogy, attempts to sway the people. He justifies conspiring against Caesar by stating that Caesar's ambition would have hurt Rome. However, in Antony's eulogy, he focuses on Caesar's positive traits, and cunningly disproves Brutus' justification for killing Caesar. The fickle Romans waver between leaders, responding emotionally, rather than intellectually, to the orators.<br><br>Brutus seeks to explain why he conspired against Caesar. He begins his speech with "Romans, countrymen ...", appealing to their consciousness as citizens of Rome, who,…

    • 844 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cassius persuades Brutus into thinking that if aids in killing Caesar then he will be doing what is best for the people of Rome. Therefore, both plays, Macbeth and Julius Caesar, are connected to one another due to the fact that one individual always convinces another do something that is more beneficial to…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy In Julius Caesar

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages

    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…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cassius makes the assumption “Than must I think you would not have it so,”. Displaying Brutus’s uneasy feelings towards Caesar makes Brutus more aware of this idea and opens it up to discussion. By doing this Cassius can expand on the fearfulness of Caesar. To do this he claims, “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,”. This statement of equality revealed that Caesar is an equal to them and he has no reason to be placed on a pedestal of honor. With this claim that Caesar is not worthy to be king, Cassius tells Brutus that they should be ashamed of what they have allowed to happen in Rome. He calls Brutus to bring Rome back to the way it should be. Since Brutus is seen as a man of honor, he feels compelled to carry on this and do something about Caesar. Using claims such as these that will provoke Brutus are important and give more reasoning for the killing of…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Julius Caesar Thesis

    • 1118 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Cassius is one of the sly conspirators out for Caesar. He feels that Caesar will grow too ambitious, so he must be stopped before he's out of control. Therefore, he plans to murder Caesar. In order to make his murder look like a sacrifice for Rome and not a bloody plot, he must get Brutus in on his plan. With Brutus' good reputation the murder would be looked upon as a good deed. In order to appeal to Brutus, Cassius disguises his personality. In guise of a devoted friend, Cassius flatters Brutus to his fullest extent. He says, ."..Thoughts of great value worthy of cogitations/Tell me, good Brutus, Can you see your face?" (1.2. ). By pretending to flatter Brutus, Cassius hopes Brutus will join the conspiracy. Cassius plans ends up working and Brutus fears that Caesar will eventually become power hungry. Cassius is pleased that his false words have had an effect on Brutus, and he states to himself, "I am glad that my weak words/Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus" (1.2. ). Cassius' appeared to be considerate of Brutus' feelings, but in reality Cassius was really stabbing him in the back and "forcing" him to join the…

    • 1118 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Roman Empire and Brutus

    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The forever noble Brutus would do anything for the Roman people, leading to his being gullible. Cassius tricked the good intentioned Brutus, but it is not he who is at fault. Cassius merely set the trap for Brutus to fall into, but Brutus himself should have…

    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Brutus Tragic Hero

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Being a tragic hero, Brutus has one major flaw; Brutus is too easily swayed to believe what others say or think. Cassius writes notes in different handwritings to try to get Brutus to join the conspiracy and dethrone Caesar. “All tending to the great opinion / that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely / Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at”…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cassius vs Brutus

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cassius formed the conspiracy with motives based solely on envy, and he believed that Caesar was not going to be a good enough ruler. He says: "...it doth amaze me A man of such feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world And bear the palm alone." (I,ii,128-31) Cassius also thought that he was also much stronger than Caesar. Cassius says: "...Caesar said to me, `Dearest thou, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word Accoutred as I was, I plunged in and bade him follow; so indeed he did. The torrent roared...but ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, `Help me Cassius, or I sink.'...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...". (I,ii,102-117) Cassius had to save Caesar from the river, which draws him to the conclusion that he deserves recognition for his strength over Caesar. One of Brutus' flaws is that he is not very bright. He is an idealist; he doesn't think about the consequences of Caesar's murder. For example, when Cassius presented the idea of swearing an oath of secrecy within the conspiracy, Brutus assumes that all of the other men were as noble as he and would not tell…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Julius Caesar Composition

    • 600 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In “Julius Caesar” Cassius is willing to do anything to make Brutus the ruler and convince Brutus to help him kill Caesar. For example, Cassius tells Brutus that people are talking about him and says “I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, speaking Brutus”(I, II, 58-60). It shows that the people of Rome want Brutus to be the ruler of Rome. This shows that Cassius want Brutus to be…

    • 600 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays