Justice in Julius Caesar Essay

Would There Be Ever a Room For Justice?

Julius Caesar is a tragic play written by the famous writer William Shakespeare. The play is about a dictator called Julius Caesar who was assassinated in the fateful ides of March. Brutus and Cassius, the conspirators, are both important characters in the misfortune of Caesar and in several ways are either similar or/ different from one another. This was evidenced in their personalities and private thoughts on conspiring against Caesar.

Brutus is a well-regarded Roman nobleman who participates in a conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. Honor is an essential foundation of Brutus and can be clearly seen during the play. He announces that he loves honor more than he fears death. Brutus is a highly respected figure where the Romans look up to him. An example of the amount of respect people have for Brutus is when Cinna, Casca, and Cassius talk about how important it is to have him involved in their plot to kill Caesar. They discussed how people had thought highly of him in their hearts

O, he sits high in all the peoples hearts, And that which could appear offense in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. (Act 1, scene 3, Line 162)

So with Brutus joining them in their mission will look admirable in the peoples eyes. Brutus is easily manipulated as he tends to assume that his fellow Romans are as high minded as he is. Brutus rationalizes and thinks every situation through to the end. He didnt agree with Cassius about killing Antony because the people would frown upon that and think it too bloody. Brutus is also gullible since he was easily brainwashed by Cassius when he actually considered on whether to kill or/ not to kill Caesar.

Brutus appears to be a man at war with himself, torn between his love for Caesar and his honorable concern for Rome. He worries that it is not in Romes best interest for Caesar to become king, yet he hates to fight his friend. This shows his loyalty and love towards his country as he places the good of Rome before his personal interest and everything else.

"This shall make our purpose necessary, and not envious; Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be called purgers, not murderers." (Act II, Scene I, Lines 185-187)

Caius Cassius is the mastermind and the motivational force behind the whole operation that is the conspiracy to murder Caesar. He has the ability to perceive the true motives of men. Even Caesar notices that when he said:

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. (Act 1 scene2, line 205-210)

He is a sly person who uses all his tricks to get Brutus to join him. He has a strong personality and has very good persuasive skills. He managed to convince Brutus to doubt Caesar and turned a great friendship into hatred and grudge between them. Cassius is more emotional and impulsive where he immediately thinks Antony should be murdered along with Caesar.

Cassius manipulates Brutus through his concern with reputation, facade, and pride. He uses Brutus sense of honor to allure him into the conspiracy:

everyone doth wish, You had but that opinion of yourself, Which every noble Roman bears of you (Act 2,Scene 1, lines 93-95).

He tempts Brutus with the impression that he might finally find honor in himself if he only joined the conspiracy. Heknows he can manipulate Brutus, whose

Honorable mettle may be wrought, From that it is disposed

(Act 1, Scene 2, Line 312-313)

One of the main sneaky tactics he used was when he sent forged letters to Brutus claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar and accusing Brutus of not being awake while Rome is in danger through his watch

Brutus, thou sleepst. Awake! (Act 2, Scene 1, line 48)

Cassius envious motives are shown when he recalls a time when he saved Caesar from rushing waters and believers that Caesar has no more right to be treated like a god than him. Furthermore, he projects this envy onto Brutus:

Brutus and Caesar; what should be in that Caesar? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? (Act 1, scene 2, line 149-150).