Intro: “Belief can be manipulated. Only knowledge is dangerous” as Frank Herbert once said. People may manipulate others to do their biddings in order to achieve their personal goals. No matter how hard it is, manipulators eventually reach their prey. This is the plan Cassius uses to initiate his final plan, to kill Caesar. Cassius wants Brutus to think that if Throughout the play Julius Caesar, written by William shakespeare, Cassius uses manipulation to form his group of conspirators and make them perform his biddings. Most importantly, Cassius turns Brutus, one of Caesar’s greatest friends, to his side through various creative tactics. Body 1: During the Feast of Lupercal, Cassius pulls Brutus aside to begin his manipulative plan. Cassius explains to Brutus that “Men are sometimes masters of their fates”. They have the potential to change their future. Cassius wants Brutus to believe that their futures need to be changed because Caesar is leading them into tyranny. Cassius then uses flattery to show Brutus that he is equal in power to Caesar. “Brutus and Caesar… Write them together, yours is a fair a name”. Cassius explains this to Brutus that he is just as capable of reaching the height of power Caesar possesses. Following this conversation Cassius develops a plan to further manipulate Brutus. …show more content…
Cassius manipulates Brutus to the point of making him feel as if there are several people wanting Brutus to do something about Caesar. Cassius also wants to convince Brutus that “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at” so they can eliminate his power for fear that “worse days [may] endure”. Cassius is not the only senator wanting to eliminate Caesar’s growing
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Show MoreOne can clearly understand that Cassius is trying to manipulate Brutus to help him sabotage
In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Cassius is a foil to Marcus Brutus, for Brutus is consistently described as honorable and kind, contrasting the always clever and self-centered, Cassius. Cassius acts as a character who goes against the virtues and weaknesses of the main character. Brutus announces, “Why man, he doth bestride the narrow World like a Colossus, and we pretty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves” (Shakespeare I. 2. 142-145). By appealing to Brutus' feeling of honor and loyalty to Rome, Cassius hopes to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
At the beginning of the play, Cassius covertly convinces Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar; but even though Brutus agrees to the plot he still is wary about it. “I have not known when his affections swayed / More than his reason. But ‘tis a common proof / That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder” (Shakespeare. II. 1.
“‘The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. ‘Brutus,’ and ‘Caesar.’ What should be in that ‘Caesar’?” (Julius Caesar 1.2) Cassius uses charisma to manipulate Brutus in this particular scene by using comparisons to show Brutus that Caesar is as equal as everyone around him and that he has his own faults. This is very important because this shows Brutus that Caesar is not as incredible as he sounds.
Cassius will prevail in making Brutus a conspirator to kill Caesar because he is adept at manipulating others. Cassius is cunning and forms his argument around honor to appeal to Brutus. In addition, Cassius formulates a deceitful plan to plant forged letters from Brutus' constituents about their dislike of Caesar. Also, Cassius undermines Brutus and Caesar's friendship by evoking negative feelings about Caesar. Finally, inklings reveal that Brutus has been considering the
Brutus was anxious about Caesar being ambitious. Brutus says “I love Caesar, but I love Rome more”. Brutus fears that Caesar is a threat to Rome. These thoughts and feelings lead Brutus to amalgamate the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. Brutus isn’t the only one who having issues with Caesar, but so is Cassius he is envious of Caesar’s power, he also wishes to kill Caesar to gain more power for himself and the love of the people.
Cassius’ techniques for manipulating Brutus include flattery and convincing. Caesar dislikes Cassius, but is friendly to Brutus. Brutus’ first concern is the people of Rome and their safety, and Cassius prompts Brutus that Caesar is too powerful, power leads to corruption, and the Roman people fear his control.
One of the most important manipulators in the play is Cassius; who shows his skills as an excellent manipulator by convincing Brutus to join the conspiracy. During the first conversation between Brutus and Cassius, Cassius remarks about how Brutus could be a powerful as Caesar, “Brutus and Caesar- what should be in that “Caesar”? / Why should that name be sounded more than yours? / [...] / yours is as fair a name / [...] Weigh them, it is as heavy” (I.ii.143-147).
This justifies the use of rhetorical questions as an acceptable, rational persuasion technique. Immediately after this rhetorical question, Cassius uses compare and contrast by comparing Brutus to Caesar by saying, “Write them together, yours is as fair a name; / Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well” (1.2.48-51). By claiming that Brutus and Caesar both have “fair” names and that the names both “sound” equally honorable, Cassius highlights a clear comparison between Brutus and Caesar. The similarities between the two are emphasized by Cassius in order to persuade Brutus that he is equally as important as Caesar, and should not allow Caesar to establish his own tyrannical state.
“Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1.2.140). Brutus allowed Cassius to talk him into killing Caesar, and believed that he should be loved and supported as much as Caesar. Brutus knew that with Caesar out of the way, he would become the people's
In fear of possible tyranny in Rome after Caesar is crowned, the conspirators are convinced by Cassius’ words to stab Caesar, while unaware of what these rash actions will ultimately result in. While planning Caesar’s murder, Cassius decides he needs a very influential and well-liked person to be the face of his conspiracy in order for them to become successful, and attempts to recruit Brutus as his co-leader. Whether dissatisfaction or envy is the motive behind Cassius’ plot to kill Caesar, Cassius says, “ Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves” (I.ii.146-148). Cassius tells Brutus that their free will is necessary to ensure the best for the Roman Empire, playing with Brutus’ morals and ideals, but it is arguable if the free will of the conspirators really had any effect on Rome. The fall of Caesar is undoubtedly an act of free will; the conspirators clearly show their faith in their own power to change Rome.
On the other side of the story, Cassius is telling Brutus that Caesar is being too much of a king and is saying that Brutus should be the king. Brutus, the loyal friend he is, declines the thought and says that he needs a little more time to think about the idea. However, Brutus is persuaded by Cassius plan to kill Caesar as he reads a letter believing it was the people but it was really Cassius.
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the theme is power. In the play, Caesar is seen after defeating Pompey in a battle. While everyone cheers him on, Cassius is trying to manipulate Brutus into his plan of attacking Caesar. Regardless of his friendship and loyalty to Caesar, Brutus decides to be a part of the conspirators. While Cassius is driven by power, Brutus is more concerned for the liberty of Rome.
Cassius is able to persuade Brutus to join his cause, using the right words, but with the wrong motivations,
Cassius saves the life of Caesar, sees him beg for water, and witnesses his epileptic seizure. From these weaknesses, Cassius finds himself to be just as worthy of the crown as is Caesar. His reasons are emotionally tied to getting rid of Caesar, Brutus chooses to become a conspirator for the good of Rome. He does not know how Caesar will use his power.