"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." (Cassius 1.2.141-142)
This is part of a ‘spiel’ that Cassius gives to Brutus in Scene 2 of Act 1, where Cassius is questioning Brutus’ extensive loyalty towards Caesar, shortly after Brutus exclaims that “these applauses are for some new honours that heaped on Caesar” (Brutus 1.2.134-135). At this point, Brutus still fairly unconvinced by Cassius’ arguments: that Caesar is dishonourable, weak, and that Brutus is much well suited and liked to become ruler of Rome. This quote from Cassius (and the corresponding ideology behind it) is employed by Cassius as a clever piece of rhetoric that is aimed to convert Brutus to his ‘side’, convincing him that it would …show more content…
This line of text is discreetly formulated to appeal to Brutus’ logos, ethos and pathos altogether to sway his opinion. It is suggested that the faults in society and in men are not predetermined by fate, but instead determined by themselves. The word “fault”, although not clearly defined, implies that there exists a fault in themselves (thus they’re the commonly-ignored underdogs), but fault suggest that the entirety of society is at fault. This logically targets Brutus’ own morals that the concept of society should always come first before anything else. Cassius also uses intimate words such as “dear” and “ourselves”, seemingly building credibility for himself as if he were very close friends with Brutus, and that he was to be trusted. Cassius also refers to the two of them as “underlings”, that they are weak nobodies in the political hierarchy (despite it being untrue). This is clearly aimed towards Brutus’ emotional side. “Stars” in this verse is a strong metaphor for fate (a common theme in the play), and is personified in that it does not bear the fault or burden of anything. This alludes to the fixed, immovable nature of stars in the sky, comparing it to a fixed fate. These specific elements and key aspects combined, create a compelling argument for Cassius’
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." (Cassius 1.2.141-142)
This is part of a ‘spiel’ that Cassius gives to Brutus in Scene 2 of Act 1, where Cassius is questioning Brutus’ extensive loyalty towards Caesar, shortly after Brutus exclaims that “these applauses are for some new honours that heaped on Caesar” (Brutus 1.2.134-135). At this point, Brutus still fairly unconvinced by Cassius’ arguments: that Caesar is dishonourable, weak, and that Brutus is much well suited and liked to become ruler of Rome. This quote from Cassius (and the corresponding ideology behind it) is employed by Cassius as a clever piece of rhetoric that is aimed to convert Brutus to his ‘side’, convincing him that it would …show more content…
This line of text is discreetly formulated to appeal to Brutus’ logos, ethos and pathos altogether to sway his opinion. It is suggested that the faults in society and in men are not predetermined by fate, but instead determined by themselves. The word “fault”, although not clearly defined, implies that there exists a fault in themselves (thus they’re the commonly-ignored underdogs), but fault suggest that the entirety of society is at fault. This logically targets Brutus’ own morals that the concept of society should always come first before anything else. Cassius also uses intimate words such as “dear” and “ourselves”, seemingly building credibility for himself as if he were very close friends with Brutus, and that he was to be trusted. Cassius also refers to the two of them as “underlings”, that they are weak nobodies in the political hierarchy (despite it being untrue). This is clearly aimed towards Brutus’ emotional side. “Stars” in this verse is a strong metaphor for fate (a common theme in the play), and is personified in that it does not bear the fault or burden of anything. This alludes to the fixed, immovable nature of stars in the sky, comparing it to a fixed fate. These specific elements and key aspects combined, create a compelling argument for Cassius’