For an essay to persuade someone that Caesar would've been a better ruler, what are some things that can be used against Cassius & Brutus? The...

In writing a persuasive essay, the writer must be sure to provide reasons for his/her points as well as refute the possible counterarguments.  [Be sure to quote from the play, citing lines and passages as support for your reasons.]  Here are some traits on Cassius and Brutus that can be considered in your arguments against them:

BRUTUS-

• too idealistic:

Easily persuaded by Cassius to be conspirator (Act I)

Brutus is too impractical; he is flawed in his philosophical commitment to principal.  When he should listen to Cassius regarding battle strategies, he does not (Act IV).

• poor political judgment

Makes a bad judgment in allowing Marc Antony to address the Romans after Caesar's death (Act III),thus unwittingly causes the civil strife in Rome.

Does not listen to Cassius, who tells him to kill Antony (Act III); later, Antony hurls insults at him and Cassius and leads the triumvir in defeating Brutus and Cassius (Act V).

CASSIUS

• self-serving and envious

Cassius is self-serving and does not have the good of Rome in mind when he seeks to have Caesar killed.  He is envious of Caesar's power, speaking of how Caesar is a "Colossus" and he and the others must walk underneath him. (Act I) Even Caesar notices this "lean and hungry" look on Cassius.  In the "seduction scene" where he convinces Brutus to join the conspiracy, he offers no concrete evidence of Caesar's tyranny and ambition, instead speaking of the stature he has attained and his physical weakness.

After speaking with Brutus in Act I, he plans to further convince him by sending forged letters, ostensibly from Roman citizens attesting to Caesar's alleged ambitions.

• weak in military/political action

Cassius is too emotional; his love for Brutus causes him to defer to Brutus, whose political decisions are clouded by idealism. (Act III-Antony) (Act IV, iii)  When Brutus disagress with him about waiting in Sardis and making the Philippi use their energies and resources by coming to them, Cassius defers. This act brings about the defeat of their troops.

• inconsistent

While he scoffed at Brutus for believing in fate in Act I, Cassius later becomes superstitious, thus making poor decisions. (Act V)