Julius Caesar Brutus Manipulation Essay

In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, written in 1599, Brutus joins a conspiracy sparked by Cassius to assassinate Julius Caesar in order to prevent him from becoming a tyrant. Brutus, a good friend of Caesar, had been conflicted by his feelings about his good friend Caesar and his growing power. He wasn’t sure of what was better, to be a good friend, or to be a loyal citizen of Rome. Cassius, a concerned friend of Brutus, noticed that he had not been himself as of late. He uses Brutus’ vulnerability to manipulate him into joining the conspirators and turning his back on Caesar. Brutus’ mind had changed about Caesar rather quickly. In Act 1, Scene 2, Brutus was unsure of where he stood as a friend to Caesar and as a noble citizen of Rome.

Cassius had assured Brutus that he was worthy and that he would be a place of reflection for him with the metaphor, “Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear. And since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of.” He wanted Brutus to see himself in the way that he did, but could only do that by convincing him that he was more than capable of whatever he put his mind to, solely because he was only using him for his plan. Cassius had also forged letters protesting the rule of Caesar, and instead, pleading for the rule of Brutus. The forged letters contained messages from concerned citizens that wished for Brutus to take action against Caesar. The once good friend of Caesar had deemed him dangerous to the well-being of Rome. Brutus compares Caesar to a snake saying, “And therefore think him as a serpent's egg — Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous — And kill him in the shell.” Brutus’ simile had shown the conspirators that Caesar could and would be dangerous to Rome if he had remained crowned. Brutus had made up his mind about the fate of Caesar, he is no longer the friend that sits in silence as Caesar does wrong, he is the loyal citizen of Rome that will take action for the greater good. He promised the citizens of Rome, “O Rome, I make thee promise: If