Brutus and Cassius

Essay # 26937

Drama and Theater > English
Shakespeare > Julius Caesar

Brutus and Cassius

Critically analyzes the characters from William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar".

725 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2003 United States

Paper Summary:

In "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, we see the characters of Brutus and Cassius as having the same goals to rid Rome of Caesar, but each for a different reason. The paper shows that Brutus wants Caesar dead for the good of Rome; the audience can see this when Brutus carefully and thoughtfully weighs his decision to join the conspiracy. It shows, on the other hand, that Cassius is jealous of Julius Caesar and his power and therefore wants to kill him.

From the Paper:

"Throughout the conspiracy, Brutus and Cassius make many more important decisions besides murdering Caesar. Between the two, Cassius, unlike Brutus, has a more realistic outlook on the world. In the decision to allow Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral, Cassius realizes that this is not a good idea and Cassius says to Brutus, "You know not what you do. Do not consent / That Antony speak in his funeral / Know you how much the people may be moved / by that which he will utter"? (III. i. 234 - 237). In contrast to Cassius? quick, decisive nature, the audience sees that Brutus carefully weighs and agonizes over his decisions before he makes them. Although Brutus? decisions might not be the wisest, they are definitely the most carefully considered. Brutus? weighing of his decisions is apparent when he is debating whether he should join the conspiracy (II. i. ll 10 - 30)."