The Intelligence of a Ruler: Analyzing Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. ” In William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar”, there are many dangerous people who are around Caesar. Cassius, supposedly one of Caesars close friends, devises a group called the Conspirators to end Caesars time of rule. This play shows how they kill him, and how Rome goes through chaos as a result.

Cassius is a fascinating character created by Shakespeare. Although Antony shows many characteristics of an intelligent person, Cassius is the smartest character in this play because he has more admirable traits. A great trait to have as an individual is the power to manipulate people into doing whatever you want. Fortunately, Cassius has that ability. After devising a plan to assassinate Caesar, he searched for a particular group of people who were powerful and had the same wish he had. The most important person for his team was Brutus. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings”(28) is what Cassius tells Brutus to try and pursue him to join the conspirators. He said that Caesars rise is their fault because they are not doing anything to stop it. Cassius used his smart, clever, and manipulative ways to tell Brutus that basically, you are helping Rome by killing Caesar. “And since you know you cannot see yourself/ so well as by reflection, I, your glass/ Will modestly discover to yourself”(25) is said to Brutus to persuade him to join the conspiracy because Cassius will help him find himself.

It is this manipulative ability that allows Cassius to carry out his plan and, ultimately, kill Caesar. Imagine how difficult it would be to kill a ruler. It is practically impossible unless you have the mind of a genius and the sharpness of a killer. Thanks to Cassius’ clever mind and precise planning, he accomplished this goal. Even though he ended up killing himself, he successfully completed his mission. . “He reads much;/He is a great observer, and he looks/ Quite through the deeds of men”(30-31) is said by Julius Caesar to describe Cassius. This shows that even though Julius Caesar is a stubborn, selfish person, he sees Cassius’ power.

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Cassius was like Michael Jordan in the 1991 NBA Finals. He was committed to succeeding his mission no matter what it took. “Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous”(30). Based on what Caesar said about Cassius, this shows that he is so focused, other people can easily see it in his face. Cassius used his skills for the wrong reasons, but you can definitely see what kind of person he really is. The flaw that Cassius has that is very easily seen throughout this play is his jealousy of Caesar. Cassius wants the people to look at him the way they look at Caesar. ‘But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ’Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? ’ (28). By trying to kill him, he thought that they would see him and Brutus as their saviors, but, instead, they saw them as traitors of Rome due to Antony’s words. "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"(27) is what Cassius says about Caesar. Cassius believes that he is just as great as Caesar and does not think that Caesar should be treated specially.

Cassius’ eye for power is what causes him to kill himself. He saw that his plan had gone too far and that he would be captured so he committed suicide. Unlike Cassius, Brutus had killed Caesar for the love of Rome. Cassius is truly the villain in this story by Shakespeare. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of villains is for good men to do nothing” Edmund burke. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar, the good men of Rome do not allow the villain, which in this case is Cassius, to go without being punished.

They pursue him until he is forced to commit suicide. Among these good people, there is Octavius, Lepidus, and most importantly, Antony. Sometimes, the smartest character is not necessarily the good guy. Through his cleverness, manipulative ability and hate for Caesar, Cassius accomplished what was practically impossible… to kill a God.

Works Cited

1. "Notable Quotes in Julius Caesar. " Notable Quotes in Julius Caesar. N. p. , n. d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012.
2. ;http://www. shakespeare-navigators. com/JC_Navigator/notable_quotes. html;.

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