Month: September 2016

Task 1: “And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.”

The quote explains how Cassius feels that Caesar should not be king because he doesn’t deserve it.

“I was born 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:”

Here Cassius is implying that Caesar is no better than Brutus or himself because they were born and raised in the same way.

“Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world” 

In the quote Cassius feels that someone as “feeble” as Caesar hasn’t got what it takes to rule over a country like Rome.

“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.”

Cassius is explaining to Brutus about the way Caesar views Roman citizens, he stands tall above all and crushes anyone who dares to oppose him.

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”

The quote explains that Caesar is Emperor not because they were unlucky but because they decide not to change the situation, Cassius is trying to persuade Brutus to do something instead of just being a bystander.

Task 3:

Shakespeare conveys Cassius’ feelings by constantly comparing himself and Brutus to Caesar for example “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” He’s repeatedly questioning Caesar’s superiority by proving that he and Caesar are the same. This leads you to believe that Cassius deserves the role of emperor just as much as Caesar does.

In scene 2 Julius Caesar was preparing to speak with his followers however he was interrupted by a soothsayer who tried to warn him about the “ides of March” although Caesar disregarded him and called him a “dreamer” implying that he was far too powerful to be harmed. After he left Cassius and Brutus expressed their fears. “I do fear, the people
choose Caesar for their king.” Brutus, despite being respected by Caesar, dislikes the notion of Caesar becoming king while Cassius wants to overthrow Caesar for personal reasons and tries to persuade Brutus to betray Caesar by comparing the two. “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with ’em, Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he is grown so great?” Cassius also tries to persuade him by motivating him. “Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” Afterwards Julius expresses his power and insults Cassius by saying “Would he were fatter!” Implying that Cassius would have to be more powerful before he would be a threat he insults him further “So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; He is a great observer and he looks Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays, As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;” here he implies that Cassius is not a true roman and is a man who doesn’t appreciate art and music.

In act 3 Cassius is trying to gain followers and persuade them to betray Caesar“Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;
He is a friend.” In this quote he is introducing Cinna, a friend who believes in Cassuis’ cause. Cassius’ plan is to start something small with the commoners“Those that with haste will make a mighty fire. Begin it with weak straws.” However he wants Brutus’ because of the fact that Brutus is “noble” and therefore people will listen to him. He plans to use the bad weather and blame it on Caesar so that people will be willing to betray Caesar. While Brutus does agree with Cassius with wanting to overthrow Caesar he had no personal reason to resent Caesar and therefore no reason to betray him.