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What does Shakespeare say about humanity through Cassius in the play Julius Caesar?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
This is a very broad question, but I will give my take on it. One aspect of Cassius is his machiavellian plotting, driven by jealousy and hatred of Caesar. This interpretation would suggest that Shakespeare is using the character of Cassius to comment on this dangerous aspect of human nature. There are, however, several more complex layers to this character.
Ironically, it is Cassius, not the noble Brutus, who seems to truly value human relationships. It seems that Cassius surrenders to Brutus' weaker judgments regarding the conspiracy because he values their friendship so deeply. It can be argued that his hatred for Caesar and his love of Brutus are the two most powerful forces driving Cassius throughout the play. This interpretation would suggest that Shakespeare is also using Cassius to comment on the manner in which personal relationships compel people to take extreme actions.
Shakespeare may also be using Cassius as a means to comment on the nature of political reform. Shakespeare extensively read Machiavelli, and Cassius' character seems to reflect Machiavelli's theory that certain individuals carry the desire to dominate and subjugate the people and are kept in check only by others with similar ambition. This raises an important question about humanity. Is tyranny kept at bay only by jealousy?
Cassius also plays a vital role in Shakespeare's discussion of the human view of fate and destiny. He is the character who utters the famous lines "the fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings." Cassius wants to believe that he has control over his own destiny, so much so that he embraces suicide as a noble means of freeing oneself from gnoble circumstances. It seems that Shakespeare is using Cassius to comment on the tendency for humans to feel that they are "masters of their fates."
I hope this helps.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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In Julius Caesar Cassius believes he is Caesar's?
Cassius was not Caesar. Cassius wanted to kill Caesar for jealousy and some other issues.
Who did Cassius and a group of conspirators plan to kill at the senate?
Julilus Caesar! it happens in the play by Shakespeare. Brutus did the dirty work.
Who reveals to Cassius that the plot is not a secret?
The tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare that centers around the conspiracy against Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Popilius Lena was a senator who reveals to Cassius the fact that he is aware of the conspiracy that was thought to be secret.
What things does Cassius tell brutus that are critical of Caesar?
Cassius recalls a windy day when he and Caesar stood on the banks of the Tiber River, and Caesar dared him to swim to adistant point. They raced through the water, but Caesar became weak and asked Cassius to save him. Cassius had to drag him from the water. Cassius also recounts an episode when Caesar had a fever in Spain and experienced a seizure. Cassius marvels to think that a man with such a feeble constitution should now stand at the head of the civilized world.
In Julius Caesar which character establishes the notion that Caesar is ambitious and that Caesar is too high and is a danger to free men?
Cassius did In their long conversation which forms the bulk of Act I Scene 2 Cassius attempts to convince Brutus that Caesar is a threat to the traditional values of the Roman Republic. Cassius' main argument is simply that Caesar is an ordinary man: I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. Cassius tells Brutus that Caesar sweats when he is ill, and that he does not swim as strongly as a younger man:- but the common people of Rome love him (and this is somehow dangerous): And this man Is now become a God, and Cassius is A wretched creature. None of the conspirators in the play have any substantial objection to Caesar, and Cassius is simply eaten up with envy. Caesar knows this, he says: Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much, such men are dangerous. But Caesar is too proud to act on his suspicions. This is his weakness.
Why shakespeare would create this dialogue between Caesar and Anthony about Cassius?
The dialogue shows that Cassius was on Caesar's radar as a possible threat.
Who are the main conspirators in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?
Brutus and Cassius
What Shakespeare play features Octavius and Cassius?
Julius Caesar
What is suggested about Cassius character even before he appears in this scene?
Cassius, in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, is the instigator in the plot to murder Caesar, which is introduced at the start of the play
What is suggested about Cassius's character even before he appears in this scene?
Cassius, in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, is the instigator in the plot to murder Caesar, which is introduced at the start of the play
Is Cassius the name of Julius Caesar in shakespeare?
No. Cassius is the name of one of the conspirators. His full name is Caius Cassius. He was the brains behind the conspiracy. Julius Caesar's full name in real life was Gaius Julius Caesar, but in the play he's just called Julius Caesar.
Who speaks i you know where you will wear this dagger then Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius?
This quote is from the play "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare. In this line, Cassius is speaking to Brutus, trying to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius is telling Brutus that if he knows where he intends to use the dagger (symbolizing the act of killing Caesar), then Cassius will deliver the dagger to him and set him free from his shackles (metaphorically referring to the burden of Caesar's rule).
How does Caesar feel about Cassius?
In the play written by Shakespeare, the character Cassius generally liked Caesar as a friend. However; when Caesar became a ruler of the Rome, Cassius felt that he was not worthy of leading such a big nation, due to his short sightedness and bad temper. Cassius believed that Brutus was a far suitable ruler for the Rome.
Why does Cassius' take so long to get the point of the conversation with Brutus?
In Shakespeare's play, Cassius is sounding Brutus out to see if he is sympathetic to the plot against Caesar.
What kind of relationship have Brutus and Caesar had?
Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were two of Caesar's assassins.
He doth bestride narrow world like a colossus?
Julius Caesar. The quote is from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" I.2.135. Cassius conversation with Brutus.
Who assassinated julies caesar?
According to William Shakespeare, at least: Brutus, Cassius, Casca, et al.
