How Does Brutus Use Power In Julius Caesar

Act I, scene ii, lines 135-161, of Julius Caesar shows the true colors of a character in the play. Cassius reveals his manipulative nature when he convinces Brutus that Caesar has too much power, and Brutus would be a better ruler than Caesar. Cassius knows Brutus wants to do what is best for Rome, so he uses this to his advantage. Before this scene, we see that the people like Caesar even though the people once liked Pompey, who was killed by Caesar. During the race, Cassius notices that Brutus hasn’t been acting as amiable as usual. Brutus replies that he is troubled by an inner conflict. They hear people shouting, and Brutus reveals that even though he likes Caesar, he doesn’t want him to become king. Cassius’s use of allusion, and hyperboles shows he is a manipulative character. …show more content…
“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/ Like a Colossus,” (I.ii.135-136) is an allusion to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Colossus of Rhodes is a giant statue of the Greek god Apollo. Cassius portrays Caesar as a giant to demonstrate how he towers over everyone else and acts like a god. According to Cassius, everyone is small and insignificant compared to the colossal, commanding Caesar. Comparing Caesar to a powerful giant appeals to Brutus’s noble nature. Cassius uses Brutus’s honorable nature to manipulate him. Brutus wants to do what would benefit Rome the most, and Caesar’s growing power threatens the Roman Republic. Cassius uses allusion in his speech to beguile Brutus, unveiling his devious