Preview

Character Analysis of Julius Caesar

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1415 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Character Analysis of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar

Character Analysis

Cassius' Strength's and Weaknesses

Cassius was one of the conspirators against Cesar and proves to be a powerful character in Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar. He has much strength and very few weaknesses and this helped him achieve small goals that led to his main goal of killing Caesar. One of Cassius' strengths is his ability to influence people using flattery and pressure. In Act 1, Scene 2, Cassius demonstrates this strength by influencing Brutus to think more seriously about stopping Caesar from becoming king by reasoning with him and pressuring him. In this scene, Cassius says, "...upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, that he has grown so great...there was a Brutus once that would have brook'd the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome, as easily as a king..."

Cassius is also very cunning and clever. He uses this strength to fully convince Brutus that many Romans will him to take action against Caesar in Act 1, Scene 2. Cassius planned to throw in Brutus' window letters that he pretended were from some Roman citizens that all urged him to stop Caesar becoming king. Cassius says, "...I will this night, in at his window throw, as if they came from several citizens...tending...that Rome holds of his name wherein obscurely Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at..."

Cassius' other strength is that he is very observant of other people. He instinctively knew that Antony was a danger to him. Cassius saw that Antony was very loyal to Caesar and would probably avenge his death on the conspirators. Cassius say, "...Mark Antony, well belov'd of Caesar...a shrewd contriver; and you know his means...let Caesar and Antony fall together..."

Cassius' main weakness is that he relies on Brutus to achieve his goal of killing Caesar. Cassius depends on Brutus' popularity to gain the Romans' support for the conspiracy. Because of this, Cassius has often had to abide by Brutus' rules so that he would stay in the conspiracy. On one such

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In Shakespeare’s interpretation of Julius Caesar’s assassination titled, Julius Caesar, a man named Cassius is attempting to get the help and alliance of a fellow Roman named Brutus in the conspiracy of assassinating the Roman leader. He accomplishes this in constructed and detailed monologues to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. In each of Cassius’ monologues, Cassius strategically uses appeals and rhetorical devices to ultimately give a successful and persuasive speech to his audience, Brutus.…

    • 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 also knows that to do this he is going to need Brutus “ O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts”(I,iii,157). Now we know that Brutus was thinking about what if…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good 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

    "Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous; / He is a noble Roman, and well given" (I.ii.196-197). Antony explains to Caesar that Cassius is not a person to be feared, but, a noble man who is trustworthy. Cassius might not be considered noble for some of his acts, but his motives behind them makes him a noble Roman, for he wants the best for the common public and doesn't want a tyrant ruling over Rome.…

    • 758 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This is highlighted in his funeral speech in Act 3. Brutus speaks in prose to the Plebeians and tries to present a reasonable argument for killing Caesar. He believes that by killing Caesar he is doing his country a great deed and that it is not for any personal hatred for Caesar but for his love of Rome. “Not that I love Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”. His motives are patriotic and for that he is presented as ‘an honourable man’ and given leeway for his murderous actions. Contrary to Brutus’ honourable motives, Cassius conspires to murder Caesar to satisfy his envy for him. He’s jealous! This is conveyed during Act 1 Scene 2 when Cassius almost loses his temper, describing Caesar as a ‘sick girl’. Cassius is shocked that someone who can become sick and ask for help can also be viewed as a God. “It doth amaze me; a man of such feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone”. Cassius’ jealousy of Caesar is outlined when he refers to Caesar as a Colossus “Like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs”. Shakespeare’s use of simile to describe Caesar ‘like a Colossus’ reveals Cassius’ negative attitude and jealousy towards Caesar. Through the use of linguistic features such as dramatic/emotive language, prose and simile, Shakespeare is able to differentiate between the conflicting perspectives of Brutus and Cassius in his play…

    • 641 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

    Julius Caesar: Convincing Cassius In Julius Caesar, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, Cassius attempts to manipulate Brutus into overthrowing Caesar by making Brutus believe that he is adored and supported by the people of Rome. In the beginning, Brutus wants to prevent Caesar from becoming the king of Rome, because for Brutus, Caesar is weak and incapable of becoming the ruler of Rome. Brutus tells Cassius that Caesar” fell down…and foamed at mouth and was speechless”(1.2.263-264). As a result, Cassius tries to persuade Brutus into becoming the king of Rome, by telling Brutus that he valued and that he is just as impressive as Caesar.…

    • 159 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    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…

    • 545 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Brutus and Cassius have a very intermittent relationship. This shows one reason how political views can impact people. At the start of the play Brutus is very pro-caesar and long live the King. Cassius then steps into the scene. Cassius provides Brutus with good true reason on why Caesar is falling and taking Rome with him. “What means this shouting? I do fear, the people choose Caesar for their King.” Brutus states here that the general Roman public adore Caesar and that strickens him with fear. Brutus and Cassius at this point have a very common goal: eliminate the problem, Caesar. Yes, both Cassius and Brutus want to take out Caesar but each for different views. Brutus wants to kill Caesar for his fear is there will be no more Democracy in Rome. Cassius wants his power and he…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Brutus Tragic Hero

    • 936 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Brutus, like any other tragic hero, has weaknesses that eventually lead him to his downfall. His flaw is that he is naïve, ignorant, and can easily be manipulated. In Act one, Cassius uses flattery to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius states, “‘Brutus’ and ‘Caesar’—what should be in that name ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (I.ii.149-152). Cassius wants to persuade Brutus that Caesar is no better than Brutus is and that Caesar does not deserve all the attention he is getting. Cassius then goes on to remind Brutus that his ancestors were the ones responsible for founding the Roman Republic. “O, you and I have heard our fathers say there was a Brutus once that would have brooked th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king” (I.ii.167-170). Brutus replies and says, “that you do love me, I am nothing jealous” (I.ii.171). Brutus misunderstands Cassius’s words as words of love and affection towards him because of his ignorance. Instead, they are words of envy towards Caesar. Cassius only says this to influence Brutus to think that Caesar does not deserve to become king and convince him to join the…

    • 936 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The flaw of Brutus is his naiviety and trustworthiness. He is deceived by all of those around him. This is partially because of his focus on what he believes to be right, and also because he appears to have a poor judgment in character. For instance, Cassius is able to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. Caesar himself recognized that there was something not right about Cassius: “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; / He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” (1.2.191-92) Nevertheless, Brutus is unable to recognize that in reality Cassius is a manipulator. Using careful language Cassius is able to sway…

    • 851 Words
    • 4 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

Related Topics