Despite Brutus’s questionable attitude toward Caesar’s ascension to power, Cassius attempts to convince Brutus by gaining trust, proving Caesar’s lack of godlike qualities, and establishing guilt to express his ignorance to improve the situation in Rome. During a procession of Caesar, Cassius begins his conversion of Brutus by acquiring trust and credibility. Cassius eases into the conversation by calling him “good Brutus” (1,2,51+66). He uses flattery to set the stage for his eventual manipulation. Tempting Brutus’s sense of honor, Cassius tells him the people “wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes” (1,2,62) to recognize that Caesar was going to yield an atrocious government. Cassius increases his credibility by stating he is not an average
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First, Cassius compares Caesar to both Brutus and himself, “I was born as free as Caesar; so were you: / We both have fed as well, and we can both / Endure the winter’s cold as well as he...” (1,2,97-99). These three statements influenced Brutus because it appeals to him as an individual and substantiates Cassius’s claim of genericness. Next, Cassius recalls two past experiences with Caesar. The first event related to the time when Caesar dared him to race across a violent river. As they raced, Caesar cried out “‘Help me, Cassius, or I sink!’” (1, 2,111). After Caesar challenged him to a race, Cassius had to rescue the him. This illustrates that Caesar perceives himself as strong but is truly much weaker. Cassius feels it is unfair that he must bow down to such a weak man. Adding to his frustration, he remembers when he was in Spain with Caesar, who had “coward lips” that spoke words of weakness, like a surrender's white “colour[ed]” flag “fly[ing]” in defeat (1,2,122). The simile reinforces Caesar’s cowardice by comparing his words to the actions of deserters. In addition, Cassius compares Caesar to “a sick girl” (1,2,128) because at the time, girls were stereotypically viewed as feeble people. Caesar’s susceptibility to disease portrays another peasant-like trait. Following the stories, Cassius tells Brutus they
First, Cassius compares Caesar to both Brutus and himself, “I was born as free as Caesar; so were you: / We both have fed as well, and we can both / Endure the winter’s cold as well as he...” (1,2,97-99). These three statements influenced Brutus because it appeals to him as an individual and substantiates Cassius’s claim of genericness. Next, Cassius recalls two past experiences with Caesar. The first event related to the time when Caesar dared him to race across a violent river. As they raced, Caesar cried out “‘Help me, Cassius, or I sink!’” (1, 2,111). After Caesar challenged him to a race, Cassius had to rescue the him. This illustrates that Caesar perceives himself as strong but is truly much weaker. Cassius feels it is unfair that he must bow down to such a weak man. Adding to his frustration, he remembers when he was in Spain with Caesar, who had “coward lips” that spoke words of weakness, like a surrender's white “colour[ed]” flag “fly[ing]” in defeat (1,2,122). The simile reinforces Caesar’s cowardice by comparing his words to the actions of deserters. In addition, Cassius compares Caesar to “a sick girl” (1,2,128) because at the time, girls were stereotypically viewed as feeble people. Caesar’s susceptibility to disease portrays another peasant-like trait. Following the stories, Cassius tells Brutus they