At the start of the novel Cassius is convincing Brutus that he should be emperor. At the start of the play Brutus does not think that any of the Romans support him in being emperor, but Cassius is able to change Brutus’s mind through flattering him and lying to him. Cassius starts off flattering Brutus saying how people are talking about him. He is saying people are “speaking of Brutus … [and] wished that noble Brutus had his eyes” (JC I.ii.66-68). Cassius is flattering him, saying how all of Rome thinks he is noble and how they love him. As Cassius says how the Romans wished he had his eyes, he is stating that if he knew how much he was loved he should become emperor. Even though the only people in favor of Brutus becoming emperor are the conspirators, Cassius flatters Brutus into thinking that all of Rome wants him to be emperor. Cassius first flatters Brutus into thinking that he is a great leader, and then proceeds to say how he should be emperor instead Caesar. Cassius ends his conversation with Brutus saying “Why should [Caesar’s name] be sounded more than yours?” (JC I.ii.51-52) As he is saying this, it implies that Brutus should be talked about more, and is better that Caesar. Cassius is flattering Brutus convincing him that he would be fit for an emperor. Cassius is able to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy even though Cassius is exaggerating how much he is loved by Rome. In this conversation between Brutus and Cassius Shakespeare shows how one person is able to alter someone’s perception of how they view themselves and others. Calpurnia is able to convince Caesar to not go to the capital, but the conspirators are going to kill him there so Decius talks to Caesar and is able to convince him to go. As Decius arrives Caesar is set on not going to the capital. He tells Decius “I will not come” (JC II.ii.76). Caesar’s mind was completely made up to not go to the capitol. This leads to Decius playing with Caesars ego, and his susceptibility to flattery to make him go. At the beginning of the conversation Decius tells Caesar that the counsel will give “this day a crown to mighty Caesar” (JC II.ii.99). After he says that he states …show more content…
Then Antony starts talking to the Romans. Through his speech, Antony is able to alter the plebeians opinions about Brutus and the conspirators. Antony does this by playing to their emotions. He starts of his speech by saying, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now” (JC III.ii.181). He does this to get the crowd emotional. Antony intentionally starts his speech this way trying to get the plebeians emotions involved. Then he starts talking about Caesar's death and states, “marred as you see with traitors” (JC III.ii.209). This is now directly saying that the conspirators are traitors. The crowd will believe him because he is playing with their emotions. Shakespeare is showing the reader how people’s opinions are easily altered once someone brings in their emotions. He emphasizes this point by showing the plebeians reactions. At the beginning the plebeians were in support of the death of Caesar; But when Antony played with their emotions the plebeians responded with, “We’ll burn the house of Brutus” (JC III.ii.245). Antony is able to completely alter the way the plebeians feel towards the death of Caesar. Throughout this speech, Shakespeare is able to show the reader how easily people’s emotions and opinions are