Cassius Speech Analysis in Julius Caesar Essay Example

During act 1 scene 2 of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, Cassius presents a speech directed towards Brutus that holds significant meaning throughout the play. This exchangment ponders the power that Caesar holds over Rome. Some citizens seem to believe Julius is one of his kind and deserves this power. While others on par with Cassius, are aware he is just an ordinary person like anyone else. Cassius uses examples of figurative language to manipulate Brutus to believe his interpretation of Caesar, within this lies the question, Should people have power?

Figurative language is heavily present in Cassius’s lines. He tends to use mostly similes and symbolism to compare and contrast Caesar and Brutus. Cassius uses a simile, “what should be in that 'Caesar'? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name;” In this line Cassius attempts to explain to Brutus how on paper their names are equal, but when spoken Caesar’s is more sounded. Therefore Cassius seems to believe Caesar’s power is just an illusion to the people. “Weigh them, it is as heavy;” Cassius speaks. Similarly he compares the weight of Brutus and Caesar through a simile. Literally speaking, do they actually weigh the same? No. Cassius is referring to the weights of their equality. Nevertheless if the weights of Brutus and Caesar are compared as the same, does Caesar really deserve this sudden power? “Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he is grown so great?” What has made Caesar grown so great? Caesar is not feeding upon actual meat that gives him power, he is rather feeding upon his support from Rome to grow his greatness. As presented, Cassius uses symbolism in his speech to Brutus. As a result Cassius is asking if there really is a reason why he should have this much power. Moreover his attempts to persuade Brutus to believe him seem to be effective as he then moves on with plans to assassinate Caesar. Although Cassius is using his manipulation to hold power over Brutus’s thoughts, just like Caesar would do so for Rome, in result contradicting himself.

The fairness of Caesar and Brutus fills Cassius’s words. Is his power deserved or just an illusion of the citizens of Rome? Hence this lack of true power unleashes into Caesar’s downfall, or death, In the ending. These lines Cassius speaks seem to be significant throughout the play, including the outcome of both Brutus and Cassius’s relationship… which does lead to death. The manipulation of Brutus through similes and symbolism used by Cassius define this speech.