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)
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