The quote, from Julius Caesar, Act 1, scene 2, is by Cassius:
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
Cassius here is speaking about the stars as controllers of destiny, and expressing the idea that men themselves are responsible for their actions, not some preordained fate.
Cassius, a nobleman, is speaking with his friend, Brutus, and trying to persuade him that, in the best interests of the republic, Julius Caesar must be stopped from becoming monarch of Rome. Brutus is aware of Caesar's intentions, but is torn between his friendship with Caesar and his duty to Rome. Eventually Cassius convinces Brutus to join him and the senators in assassinating Caesar.
He meant that the reason they are underlings (not in a high position) is not because of their astrological charts, but is their own fault. Ancient Romans were deeply into Astrology; Elizabethans were even more so.
The saying: "The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings" is written by William Shakespeare and is from Julius Ceaser- one of his many plays. The man noting this means that the reason they are where they are is because of their actions and choices and not because of their fate.
Cassius is talking about the idea of fate, that our fate is predetermined and "written in the stars", which is why people think astrology works. Lucky people are born under the right combination of stars, and so end up on top. The rest of us schmoes are fated to be underlings, mooks, redshirts, or plebes.
But Cassius doesn't think so. He thinks that whether you succeed or not is a matter of how hard you try, not where Mars was when you are born. It's a more scientific attitude, to be sure.
Perhaps you are thinking of "the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings" (Julius Caesar, Act I Scene 2)
Cassius
From Julius Caesar, Cassius says; "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."Found in the play Julius Caesar.
yes it is... it is his most famous tragedy
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, how often does Shakespeare use blank verse
Rome.
Cassius believes that men are in control of their own destinies and that they are not bound by fate or destiny. He argues that people have free will and should not be submissive or passive underlings to fate, but rather take control of their own lives and shape their own futures.
Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. (Julius Caesar, 1.2.146), Cassius to Brutus
From Julius Caesar, Cassius says; "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
"The fault, dear Brutus lies not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." Also, "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus." Both of these quotations are from Act I Scene 2
From Julius Caesar, Cassius says; "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
From Julius Caesar, Cassius says; "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings."Found in the play Julius Caesar.
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. (Act 1. Sc II. L135)
yes it is... it is his most famous tragedy
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, how often does Shakespeare use blank verse
Because everyone dies
Rome.