"Light is meaningful only in relation to darkness, and truth denotes error. It is these mingled opposites which people our life, which make it pungent, intoxicating. We only exist in terms of this conflict, in the zone where black and white clash." This quote by Louis Aragon from his poem "Preface to a Modern Mythology," emphasizes the fact that when one observes something in contrast to its opposite, it exaggerates the characteristics of both. Oftentimes in literature, characters are presented as complete opposites or foils to one another to highlight both characters' traits and to enrich their impact on the reader. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus and Cassius are opposites or foils to one another because Brutus is noble while Cassius is manipulative, Brutus is concerned only for the good of Rome while Cassius is concerned only for himself and while Brutus is naive, Cassius never trusts people.
Throughout Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are shown to be foils to one another when Brutus is displayed as noble, while Cassius is displayed as manipulative. The first instance of this is during the Feast of Lupercal when Brutus is speaking with Cassius about Caesar. "Brutus: I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king. Cassius: Ay, do you fear it? Then I think you would not have it so. Brutus: I would not Cassius, yet I love him well." Brutus is telling Cassius that although he fears that Caesar is becoming too powerful, he loves him anyway and would not think to do anything to harm him. Cassius is manipulative because he is trying to find traits in Caesar that Brutus dislikes to get him to join his conspiracy to kill Caesar. Cassius also says to Brutus: "Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves that we are underlings. "Brutus' and "Caesar'.
Brutus and Cassius are very different in the way they perceive Antony. ... Cassius has the better plan but he submits to Brutus. ... Cassius wants Brutus to kill him, because he thinks that Brutus loved Caesar more. ... This is how Cassius is again portrayed as lower than Brutus. ... Even Cassius says how noble and honorable Brutus is: "Well, Brutus, thou art noble- (1.2.320). ...
Cassius vs. ... In more than one occasion Cassius would have cracked and Brutus kept it together. ... Cassius almost lost it, but Brutus stepped in to take charge and told Cassius to be constant. ... With out Brutus there to keep him in line Cassius could have easily ruined the whole thing by trying to do it boldly and publicly out of rage. ... When Cassius had tried to rally ideas about Antony and Cicero, Brutus shut him down, because Brutus's goal was to knock Caesar out of the box with minimal impact on everyday life. ...
Both Brutus and Cassius have their own strengths and weaknesses. ... On both occasions, Brutus's idealism is strong and Cassius is overruled; events prove Cassius to have been right both times. ... Patriotism is the very thing that leads Brutus into the trap laid for him by Cassius. Brutus is too innocent to see that Cassius is manipulating his patriotism for Rome. ... On both occasions, Brutus's idealism is strong and Cassius is overruled. ...
Marcus Brutus is a praetor, a judge in Rome . ... In camparison, Cassius is a member of parliament in the Senate House . ... Very much in contrast, Cassius is an excellent judge of character. ... This trait in Cassius seems to be absent .While Brutus is very calm while he is speaking, Cassius is easily excitable and speaks with a lot of emotion. ... Brutus loves and respects Caesar. ...
Cassius Cassius tries to accuse Brutus for doing him wrong, in front of their army. Event-Brutus & Lucilius are talking about Cassius. Brutus asks Lucilius how Cassius recived him. ... Then Cassius became mad at Brutus for ignoring them. ... Then Brutus tells Cassius about Portia's death. ...
Cassius does this to gain Brutus" trust. ... Again, Brutus is being deceived by the extremely clever Cassius. ... Cassius convinced Brutus and the rest of the conspirators to support him, especially Brutus, because he was the one whom all of the Roman people trusted most. With Brutus involved, Cassius believed that the murder would seem just to the roman citizens. ... Brutus" actions were far too much influenced by the conniving Caius Cassius. ...
Even though they are on the same side, Cassius is Brutus" foil. ... Cassius gives in to every disagreement with Brutus, so Brutus won't leave Cassius by himself. ... Brutus trusts Cassius and his reasons for killing Caesar. ... Cassius knows that Brutus is very honest and patriotic. ... Cassius tried to persuade Brutus to not let him speak, but Brutus still let him. ...
Cassius is quite intelligent and you find this part of him when he has the discussion with Brutus. When Cassius and Brutus decide what their plan for the battle is, Cassius wisely expresses that "Tis better that the enemy seek us" (IV.iii.198). As they decide to go to Philippi, Brutus and Cassius die in battle and are not victorious. ... He and Brutus get in an argument because Brutus is loyal and honest, so this type of action that was done by Cassius was unacceptable to Brutus. Brutus expects more from Cassius, he expects him to be loyal and honorable, but instead Cassius is corrup...
But Brutus love of Rome and it's people take the best of him when Brutus allows Marc Antony to speak after him Cassius thinks ahead for consequences that could happen, this is shown in (act 1, sc.2, line 161-168) where Cassius advises Brutus not to let Antony speak at Caesar's funeral. ... Brutus is a brave Roman, Cassius is a coward that cannot stand-alone, and he likes to know that he has someone. Brutus and Cassius are very different in the way they recognize Antony. ... But Cassius sees him as what he really is; Cassius basically thinks the opposite of what Brutus thinks of...