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He also cleverly appeals to Brutus’ ego and sense of importance. Brutus’ sense of pride allows Brutus to overlook and justify the assassination of his mentor, friend, leader and fellow Roman. He also justifies actions with the idea of Caesars possible betrayal of Rome, the Roman government and the Roman citizens. Brutus clearly states that he has ‘no personal cause to spurn him [Caesar]’, that Caesar has done nothing to Brutus to give him reason to kill him, but it is more of a general concern. He thinks that Caesar may become a danger to the ‘general good’ and the public welfare. He philosophises and has an entire soliloquy about power and what happens when people are given a position of high authority, in Caesars case,
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Cassius’ attitude is more of a personal attack. Cassius has been exposed to some flaws in Caesars character. For example Cassius had to save Caesar from drowning, and when Caesar cried out like a “sick girl” when he was ill. Cassius shows signs of extreme jealousy towards Caesar, because Caesar has “now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body, if Caesar carelessly but nod.” Cassius also believes that Caesar is unfit to lead because he has a ‘feeble temper’ and ‘such fiery eyes.” Cassius’ brutality and frustration is once again revealed when he says that Mark Antony should be murdered as well, “Let Antony and Caesar fall together.” Brutus however believes the action to be ‘too …show more content…
Brutus recalls that “since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the firs motion, all the interim is like a phantasma, or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments are then in council; and that state of man, like to a little kingdom, suffers the nature of insurrection.” This basically means, from the time you decide to do something “dreadful”, and the moment you do it, everything feels like a nightmare, or unreal. The body and ones unconscious work together to revolt against the mind and conscience. This whole sentence is made up of enjambment between the lines, the imagery of the body working against ones mind and the metaphor of Brutus comparing the way he is feeling to a ‘hideous dream’ or a ‘phantasma’. This small sample of text is also very euphonic, as is most of Brutus’ soliloquy.
Brutus’ justification of the assassination of Caesar represents Shakespeare’s views on sacrificing one’s life for the greater good. He believes that if every one will benefit, and it doesn’t harm any one else, apart from the subject obviously, it is alright and can be justified. Brutus saw republicanism as a more effective form of government than a tyrannical lead. He believed that Caesar was attempting to convert the Roman government by making himself king, and only his death could save Rome
Cassius’ attitude is more of a personal attack. Cassius has been exposed to some flaws in Caesars character. For example Cassius had to save Caesar from drowning, and when Caesar cried out like a “sick girl” when he was ill. Cassius shows signs of extreme jealousy towards Caesar, because Caesar has “now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body, if Caesar carelessly but nod.” Cassius also believes that Caesar is unfit to lead because he has a ‘feeble temper’ and ‘such fiery eyes.” Cassius’ brutality and frustration is once again revealed when he says that Mark Antony should be murdered as well, “Let Antony and Caesar fall together.” Brutus however believes the action to be ‘too …show more content…
Brutus recalls that “since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the firs motion, all the interim is like a phantasma, or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments are then in council; and that state of man, like to a little kingdom, suffers the nature of insurrection.” This basically means, from the time you decide to do something “dreadful”, and the moment you do it, everything feels like a nightmare, or unreal. The body and ones unconscious work together to revolt against the mind and conscience. This whole sentence is made up of enjambment between the lines, the imagery of the body working against ones mind and the metaphor of Brutus comparing the way he is feeling to a ‘hideous dream’ or a ‘phantasma’. This small sample of text is also very euphonic, as is most of Brutus’ soliloquy.
Brutus’ justification of the assassination of Caesar represents Shakespeare’s views on sacrificing one’s life for the greater good. He believes that if every one will benefit, and it doesn’t harm any one else, apart from the subject obviously, it is alright and can be justified. Brutus saw republicanism as a more effective form of government than a tyrannical lead. He believed that Caesar was attempting to convert the Roman government by making himself king, and only his death could save Rome