Julius Ceasar Leadership

In the play, “Julius Caesar” written by William Shakespere, Cassius and Mark Antony both show the leadership qualities of caring for the citizens, persuasiveness, and honesty. Though both characters show these qualities Mark Antony proves to be a better leader than Cassius. In the play both men, Cassius and Mark Antony, show themselves caring for the citizens of Rome. Cassius claims to do this by killing Caesar; he claims that Caesar was ambitious and not right to be the leader of Rome. “But Brutus says he was ambitious, / And Brutus is an honorable man” (III.II.85-86). Cassius told Brutus that Caesar was ambitious and that’s why they needed to kill him, which is what Brutus says at the funeral. Here Mark Antony is speaking with a sarcastic tone because he does not believe that Caesar was ambitious, nor does he believe that Brutus is honorable. “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?” (III.II.95-96). Here Mark Antony is saying that if he was ambitious then he wouldn’t turn down the crown three times. In the way of caring for others Antony proves to be a better leader because he doesn't take extreme measures such as killing a man when he thinks things aren’t going the right way, as Cassius does. Mark Antony truly cares for the citizens of Rome, unlike Cassius who doesn’t regret his actions. One leadership quality that is essential to have is honesty. Mark Antony has this character but Cassius does not. Mark Antony is honest when he gives his speech at Caesar’s funeral. “I come to bury Caesar, not praise him” (III.II.73). Mark Antony is to the point and honest in his speech, he doesn’t mess around and say things falsely or deceivingly. Cassius is not honest. “I will this night, / In several hands, in at his window throw, / As if they came from several citizens, writings all tending to the great opinion” (I.II.311-314). Here Cassius is talking to himself explaining his plan to write forged letters to Brutus from the people saying they are against Caesar. Cassius does this to turn Brutus against Caesar. That makes Cassius dishonest because writing a forged document and lying is not an honest action. Cassius was dishonest but he was very good at persuasion. Mark Antony was too. Cassius was very good at persuasion when he convinced Brutus to turn against Caesar. “Till then, think of the world” (I.II.303). Here Cassius is telling Brutus to think overnight about if he wants to turn against Caesar. He is very tricky in the way that he places thoughts in Brutus’ head. Mark Antony is good at persuasion when he convinced them that Caesar was not going to take the king’s crown. “Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown. / Therefore ‘tis certain he was not ambitious” (III.II.110-112). In this text, a citizen is saying listen to Mark Antony he isn’t lying when he says Caesar wasn’t ambitious and he didn’t intend to take the crown. The citizens believed this because Mark Antony gave a very persuasive speech and convinced them. So both Mark Antony and Cassius are good at persuasion. In conclusion, Mark Antony is a better leader because he cares for the people, is honest, and is good at persuading people. He has all the qualities of a good leader. Cassius does not make as good of a leader as Mark Antony because although he claims to care for the people and he is persuasive he is not honest in the way he does these things. In these ways he does not measure up to Mark Antony’s leadership qualities.