Who is the Manliest? Abraham Lincoln once stated, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” One chief term in Lincoln’s statement is adversity, which conveys a state of serious or unremitting impediments or misfortune. Another principle expression in Lincoln’s statement is power, which denotes possession of control, authority, or influence over others. Taken as a whole, Lincoln signifies that force over others alters a man more than facing hardships. Furthermore, Lincoln implies in his statement that once given the ability to dominate, a man’s persona can become debauched. Finally, when looked under the lens of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln’s statement can
…show more content…
This is because Roman men were taught to mask the weak emotions, such as fear and sadness. Shakespeare’s development of the manhood motif demonstrates that Abraham Lincoln’s declaration is true. For example, in the senate house before Caesar is assassinated, Cassius says, “If this be known, Cassius or Caesar shall never turn back, I will slay myself” (III.i.19-22). This clearly demonstrates Cassius’ masculinity to the conspirators because Cassius is speaking in third person which portrays himself as a superior bravado. This affects the work as a whole because it contributes to Shakespeare’s depiction of the theme authority defiles man. Cassius takes a stand to be the head of the conspirators and believes that killing Caesar under the shield of the good of Rome will successfully gain power for himself. However, murder is an immoral act and no virtuous man would mask his intentions and commit such an unscrupulous offense. Cassius clearly shows that the Lens is true because once he is given power by the other conspirators to have authority over the life and death of Caesar, his morals are …show more content…
For example, inside Cassius and Brutus’ tent during their argument, Cassius says, “There is my dagger. And here is my naked breast. Within, a heart dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold. If thou beest a Roman, take it forth” (IV.iii.102-111). This clearly shows Cassius’ contradiction of Shakespeare’s definition of manhood because even though Cassius perceives himself as a man, he feigns boldness. This affects the work as a whole because it foreshadows Cassius’ cowardly suicide since he does not want to be taken prisoner by Antony and Octavius. By the end of this argument, Cassius apologizes and blames his behavior on bogus reasons, such as his mother. Here, he resembles an angry housewife more than a general in the Roman army. Brutus and Cassius’ argument clearly shows that the Lens is true because both Brutus and Cassius are turned into a lesser version of
This is because Roman men were taught to mask the weak emotions, such as fear and sadness. Shakespeare’s development of the manhood motif demonstrates that Abraham Lincoln’s declaration is true. For example, in the senate house before Caesar is assassinated, Cassius says, “If this be known, Cassius or Caesar shall never turn back, I will slay myself” (III.i.19-22). This clearly demonstrates Cassius’ masculinity to the conspirators because Cassius is speaking in third person which portrays himself as a superior bravado. This affects the work as a whole because it contributes to Shakespeare’s depiction of the theme authority defiles man. Cassius takes a stand to be the head of the conspirators and believes that killing Caesar under the shield of the good of Rome will successfully gain power for himself. However, murder is an immoral act and no virtuous man would mask his intentions and commit such an unscrupulous offense. Cassius clearly shows that the Lens is true because once he is given power by the other conspirators to have authority over the life and death of Caesar, his morals are …show more content…
For example, inside Cassius and Brutus’ tent during their argument, Cassius says, “There is my dagger. And here is my naked breast. Within, a heart dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold. If thou beest a Roman, take it forth” (IV.iii.102-111). This clearly shows Cassius’ contradiction of Shakespeare’s definition of manhood because even though Cassius perceives himself as a man, he feigns boldness. This affects the work as a whole because it foreshadows Cassius’ cowardly suicide since he does not want to be taken prisoner by Antony and Octavius. By the end of this argument, Cassius apologizes and blames his behavior on bogus reasons, such as his mother. Here, he resembles an angry housewife more than a general in the Roman army. Brutus and Cassius’ argument clearly shows that the Lens is true because both Brutus and Cassius are turned into a lesser version of