Compare and Contrast Cassius and Brutus
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In the play, “Julius Caesar,” by William Shakespeare, Brutus and Cassius are portrayed as two very different men, and yet in some ways, they are still alike. Brutus was Julius Caesar’s friend, but Cassius raged with jealousy when it came to Caesar. Brutus cared for the people of Rome and Cassius only cared for himself. They were both, however, responsible for the death of Caesar.
These two men have very diverse personalities. Brutus has a stoic and responsible personality, while Cassius has a dark and cold personality. Cassius is not trustworthy so therefore he wanted Brutus on his side as people would think their cause was honorable because Brutus was looked upon as an honorable man. Caesar shows he realizes Cassius is dangerous when he says to Antony, “Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.” Also, Brutus realizes Cassius is being too nice to him and knows something is up. This is clearly shown when Brutus says: “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have seek into myself for that which is not in me?”
Since Brutus and Cassiuss personalities were different, their reasons for killing Caesar were also different. Cassius was jealous and envious of Caesar because he was powerful as the ruler of Rome. Therefore, Cassius killed Caesar in order to increase own personal honor. Its obvious Cassius only killed Caesar for his own benefit and not for the good of Rome. When Cassius was trying to convince Brutus to help him kill Caesar he said, “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that “Caesar”? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together: yours is as share a name.”Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as Caesar.” On the other hand, Brutus, an honorable man, only wanted to kill Caesar for the good of Rome, not for his own personal benefit. This is shown when he says: “It must be by his death. And for my part….I know no personal cause to spurn at him… but for the general.”
Cassius and Brutus are both committed brave men especially during the battle of Philippi. Brutus’s braveness and commitment is shown in his reaction to the death of Cassius. Despite the pain of his close friend’s death, Brutus continues the battle. Brutus says, “Friends, I owe more tears to this man than you shall see me pay…Let us to the field…set our battles on…we shall try fortune in a second fight.” Cassius also showed commitment and bravery win how he reacted to the news when he thought Brutus had died. Cassius says, “Come down, behold no more. Oh coward that I am, to live so long to see my best friend ta’en before my face…now be a free man, and with this good sword…search this bosom. Stand not to answer.” Obediently Cassius’s servant does as he is told.
The personalities of Brutus and Cassius are both different and similar to each other.