In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the two.
main characters are presented as foils to each other. Brutus.
and Cassius, two of the lead conspirators whom arranged the .
assassination of the Roman political figure Julius Caesar, remain.
in direct contrast throughout the play. Although they do succeed.
in the murder of Caesar and victory in the battle that ensues, .
there is discord because of their conflicting attitudes especially.
evident in their personality traits, motives in conspiracy, and.
military strategies.
Cassius is an ambitious man. He plots, he schemes, he will.
cheat and he will take bribes to get what he wished. He sees .
people for what they are and he is a good judge of human nature. .
When Caesar's good friend Antony wishes to speak at his funeral,.
he asks Brutus if he may do so. Brutus consents, because Antony.
promises to not say anything that may implicate the conspirators .
to the people of Rome, however, Cassius sees through Antony. He.
says to Brutus, "You know not what you do. Do not consent that .
Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people may be.
moved by that which he will utter?" (3.1). As it turns out, Cassius .
was correct in his thoughts. As one writer states:.
Brutus miscalculates not only on the major issue of wisdom.
of the conspiracy itself, but on every strategic decision.
along the way. He thinks that Antony is but a limb of.
Caesar, but Antony proves to be a formidable political.
opportunist. Brutus believes that once he has explained.
the reasons for the assassination to Rome's citizens nothing.
Antony says at the funeral will affect them, but through his.
brilliants funeral speech Antony unleashed Caesar's avenging.
spirit with Ate, goddess of discord, at his side.
(Leithart).
Cassius is usually correct in judging people, and he is often.
courageous and brave, yet he also has moments of weakness and he is.
