Ever since we can remember, most of us have lied, only partially told the truth, or tried to hide ourselves from society. While some actions of this manner are more notable than others, and while sometimes this may occur in the form of other emotions, such as arrogance and ego, humans still have a tendency to mask themselves, or use facade. Another form of facade is when people wish to hide their flaws, so that the general public would view them as someone greatly admired that they would be wiling to follow anywhere. This is especially apparent, including its many forms, in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by the one and only William Shakespeare. Although Julius Caesar is a name most anyone can identify with power and superiority, even
…show more content…
Brutus may seem especially straightforward with his nobility at times; however, there is much more to him than meets the eye. For example, in one scene in which Cassius notices that Brutus has not been acting like himself, and in which he ask what troubles him, Brutus responds with, “Cassius, / Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, (…) Vexed I am / Of late with passions of some difference, / Conceptions only proper to myself, / Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; / But let not therefore my good friends be grieved-- / Among which number, Cassius, be you one” (I.ii.124-135). Although Brutus did mention that he has been troubled of the late, he also says that he will be fine, and bids that Cassius be not troubled with it. In this very manner, Brutus is shielding his true thoughts and emotions from Cassius, and can be as a result described as stoic. In another scenario in which Brutus is contemplating whether or not killing Caesar would be wise, Brutus exasperates, “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, / I have not slept. / Between the acting of a dreadful thing / And the first motion, all the interim is / Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream” (II.i.669-677). This shows that although pretty much ever character recognizes Brutus as one who is very strong and always knows what to do, there are in fact times in his personal life when he is very undecided and …show more content…
Now even though Caesar never openly admits his fears to anyone, not even to his best friend, the use of his wording is in fact strong enough to suggest just that. On one occasion, Caesar is open enough to tell Antony one of his potential fears; this is proof that facades do not always stand for everyone. Also, “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; / He thinks too much: such men are dangerous / Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: / Yet if my name were liable to fear, / I do not know the man I should avoid / So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; / He is a great observer (…) Such men as he be never at heart’s ease / Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, / And therefore are they very dangerous” (I.ii.290-302). What Caesar means by these quotes is that despite his enormous power and control over the Roman public, he is very well aware of the fact that he can be overthrown, and is aware of how someone such as brilliant young Cassius is completely capable of commiting such a feat. As a continuation to this, Caesar also tells Mark Antony, “I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd / Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. / Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, / And tell me truly what thou think'st of him”
Brutus may seem especially straightforward with his nobility at times; however, there is much more to him than meets the eye. For example, in one scene in which Cassius notices that Brutus has not been acting like himself, and in which he ask what troubles him, Brutus responds with, “Cassius, / Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look, (…) Vexed I am / Of late with passions of some difference, / Conceptions only proper to myself, / Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; / But let not therefore my good friends be grieved-- / Among which number, Cassius, be you one” (I.ii.124-135). Although Brutus did mention that he has been troubled of the late, he also says that he will be fine, and bids that Cassius be not troubled with it. In this very manner, Brutus is shielding his true thoughts and emotions from Cassius, and can be as a result described as stoic. In another scenario in which Brutus is contemplating whether or not killing Caesar would be wise, Brutus exasperates, “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, / I have not slept. / Between the acting of a dreadful thing / And the first motion, all the interim is / Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream” (II.i.669-677). This shows that although pretty much ever character recognizes Brutus as one who is very strong and always knows what to do, there are in fact times in his personal life when he is very undecided and …show more content…
Now even though Caesar never openly admits his fears to anyone, not even to his best friend, the use of his wording is in fact strong enough to suggest just that. On one occasion, Caesar is open enough to tell Antony one of his potential fears; this is proof that facades do not always stand for everyone. Also, “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; / He thinks too much: such men are dangerous / Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: / Yet if my name were liable to fear, / I do not know the man I should avoid / So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; / He is a great observer (…) Such men as he be never at heart’s ease / Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, / And therefore are they very dangerous” (I.ii.290-302). What Caesar means by these quotes is that despite his enormous power and control over the Roman public, he is very well aware of the fact that he can be overthrown, and is aware of how someone such as brilliant young Cassius is completely capable of commiting such a feat. As a continuation to this, Caesar also tells Mark Antony, “I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd / Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. / Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, / And tell me truly what thou think'st of him”