In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius wishes to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar, because he and his co-conspirators believe Caesar is unfit for ruling Rome, and that Caesar would bring about the fall of their great city. In this passage, Cassius persuades Brutus through his self-image and emotional connection to Rome, his trust in Cassius’s nature and judgements, and his reasoning as to why Caesar becoming ruler is dangerous for Rome. Cassius capitalizes on Brutus’s emotions in that he gives compliments for the purpose of inflating Brutus’s ego.This is shown when Cassius says Brutus has “hidden worthiness”, (1,2,57) and his worthiness earns him “many of the best respect in Rome” (1,2,59). Cassius utilizes these compliments …show more content…
To demonstrate his point, Cassius elaborates about how “[He] was born free as Caesar; so were you/ we both have fed as well, and we can both/ endure the winter’s cold as well as he” (1,2,97-99). Cassius gives these examples to show Brutus that Caesar doesn’t have any special traits that make him better than them, and proceeds to build upon this point by highlighting Caesars faults. Specifically, how Caesar grew up in the same circumstances as them, but acts without thinking and is overdramatic. This is shown when Caesar challenges Cassius to a swim, but does not judge the distance correctly, and begged “Help me, Cassius, or I sink” (1,2,111). Another example is how Caesar acted powerlessly when he became ill, and cried for help “As a sick girl“ (1,2,128). Cassius first points out how Caesar doesn’t have any special traits over Brutus and himself, and then points out his faults in order to portray Caesar as less qualified than them, and in turn help convince Brutus Caesar is not qualified to lead Rome. By providing examples that back up his claims, Cassius uses logic to persuade Brutus that Caesar does not possess the qualities that are needed to be the leader of Rome, which provides Brutus with another consideration as to why he should conspire against Caesar and they should go against him. In the passage, the ways in which Cassius attempts to persuade Brutus to betray Caesar make themselves abundantly clear. He exploits Brutus’s emotions by complimenting him and telling him how much the Romans respect and admire him, and how Caesar puts the future of Rome in peril. His trust by utilizing Brutus’s trust for his character, and by claiming that he sees Brutus more clearly than he sees himself. And his logic by giving examples of how Caesar does not have the qualifications to lead
Brutus uses rhetorical questions, faulty reasoning and hyperboles to create the tone of persuasion while convincing the Roman people to be on his side. To start off his funeral speech, he wants the citizens to trust and believe what he has to say about Caesar, Brutus announces; “Believe me for mine honor, and have respect for my honor, that you may believe me”(Shakespeare 42). In this case, faulty reasoning is shown because Brutus has done nothing to prove him honorable to the citizens. Given that, he has no evidence that he is trustworthy, Brutus still try’s to persuade the crowd to believe what he has to say about Caesar is true, which is
The audience learns Cassius is a leader and does not believe any of his equals have the right to be above to him. It is apparent Cassius declares Caesar as his equal when he states, (1.2 99-101) “ I was born as free as Caesar, so were you. / We both have fed as well, and we can both / Endure the winter’s cold as well as he”.
In Cassius’s eloquent speech against Caesar, he primarily utilizes persuasion through tools such as pathos, rhetorical questions, and compare and contrast. Cassius uses pathos to begin his monologue when he claims, “I know that virtue be in you, Brutus, / As well as I do know your outward favor” (Shakespeare 1.2.95-96). By expressing that Brutus has “virtue” and “outward favor”, Cassius appeals to Brutus’s emotions, but not to an exaggerated extent. This emotional appeal is a persuasion technique because it is used in moderation and in pertinent locations. The context is appropriate since rather than using it as a tool to feed on Brutus’s emotions, Cassius only uses it to get Brutus’s attention as an appropriate hook.
By saying this Brutus tries to put Cassius in his situation to see how he would feel if he acted as Cassius did when needy for help, to shed light on how Cassius’ actions were greedy and self-benefit
This appealed to Brutus’s sense of trust towards Cassius by saying things that he wanted to hear. Next, he questioned if Brutus wanted Caesar to be king. At this, Brutus told him that he did not want him to be king. The conversation led on to the two talking about Caesar’s weaknesses. Brutus was told of how Caesar had almost drowned in the water and asked Cassius for help.
Unfortunately, Cassius uses Brutus’ altruistic characteristic and devout loyalty against him by sending fake letters with concerns regarding the crowning of Caesar for Brutus to read and be persuaded to join the conspirators. Cassius’ manipulation of Brutus serves as an example of how Shakespeare
Brutus, According to Shakespeare The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Shakespearean play and representation of the assassination of Caesar, is a well written and developed story in which the build up of the characters is very well done. As a matter of fact, the developing of Brutus, the tragic hero on the play, is one of the most important characters and therefore one of the better explained and exposed. Brutus is a character that is marked with three traits that allow him to be the one responsible for Caesar's assassination. Indeed, Brutus is naive, well-intended and hypocrite, as seen when the conspirators convince him to be part of it, and be one of the most important figures in it.
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.
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.
Brutus 's speech: Brutus speaks to the people of rome why he killed caesar so they will not turn on him. He talked about how he didnt kill him because he didn 't love him but because it was for the better of rome. He also tells the people of rome that letting caesar become king would mean the government type would change and all the wars and hard work his family had put into the government would go away. He also states, for the welfare of rome that he would die for rome if rome demands his death Rhetorical devices: Brutus used questions, logos, parallelism, and pathos to stir the people of rhome. Question-
Cassius influenced Brutus to conspire against Caesar by stating, Caesar “is now become a god… and his name has been sounded more than [Brutus’s]” (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 118-145-6). Cassius’s arguments convinced Brutus in proving Caesar's murder would be just, but Caesar’s death is unjust because he is being murdered out of Brutus and Cassius’s jealousy. Both of the individuals are envious of the power that Caesar is being given by the people of Rome and want to end his life before they will lose their own power in the senate after Caesar becomes king. Brutus’ naive mind was easily convinced by Cassius that Caesar was not the best choice to assume the Roman throne because he would not listen to their political thoughts.
Cassius is often referred to as a villain in the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. A villain is a play or stories antagonist. Traits of a villain include manipulative and untrustworthy. Cassius was a known companion of Caesar’s that was an active part in the assassination (Gaius). First of all, Cassius manipulates Brutus and the rest of the conspirators into helping him assassinate Caesar.
When Cassius sends the letters that command Brutus to “awake and see thyself!” he makes use of the character’s hamartia and uses it in his favour. It is in fact these letters that ultimately lead Brutus to join the conspiracy, a major step towards the accomplishment of Caesar’s fate. Without the use of deception, it is most likely that Brutus would not fall into Cassius’ power-hungry hands; and without Brutus being in the conspiracy, the events of the play (and of history) would have followed completely different routes, showing the power deception has in certain circumstances. In the end of the play, Cassius shows evidence of stoical thinking , as he finally believes in “the determining power of Fate”, and how his vindictiveness has led to him discovering the “worthy cause of suicide”.
Brutus delivers his speech in a laudatory manner by conveying Caesar’s deeds and claiming he was ambitious, although Antony contradicts Brutus’ claims and says Caesar spurned the crown with the intent to merely rule as a de facto dictator. Brutus’ speech reveals his motives were truly for the benefit of Rome given his nationalistic tone and Antony’s speech was merely used to obscure his true motives, which was to embroil Rome in a series of civil wars to attain power. Brutus and Antony’s speeches consisted predominantly of Pathos and Ethos, but it is Antony who ultimately it is Antony who prevails because of his almost disingenuous attitude and even use of Logos which is seen when claims that reading Caesar’s will would dishonor his compeers and even Caesar
Than such a Roman. (IV.iii.16-29) Brutus’ nobility gives him the ability to chastie people with a higher authority. His scolding of Cassius’ makes Cassius reflect on if what he did was really the right thing to do or not. Similarly, Brutus also makes the armies wait, turning down when Cassius said they should wait for the enemy to come to them.