Cassius plays a major role in the play. He is essentially the chief plotter in Caesar's downfall. It is he who talks to the other senators and draws them into his murderous scheme. Cassius is clearly jealous of Julius and maliciously wants to get rid of him. We notice from the outset that he is not one to be trusted. When Caesar sees him, he tells Antony:
Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights:
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Caesar's judgement is quite perceptive and we learn later, spot on. His description of Cassius is that of a predator in search of a prey and, he, Caesar, becomes that prey later in the play. When Antony assures him that Cassius is noble, well stated and should not be feared, Caesar replies:
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. 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;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous....
Caesar's assessment is, once again, accurate for later, when Cassius approaches Brutus and notices his solemn mood, he draws Brutus out, flatters him and gives him a speech about how frail Caesar is. He makes a comparison between Caesar and them and questions why such a weakling should lead Rome when they, men of greater strength, should be his slaves.
Cassius is a sly manipulator and he soon persuades Brutus to become a member of his conspiracy. To ensure that Brutus is completely convinced about joining them, he asks Cinna to place a number of letters to Brutus in various places where he could easily find each, informing him of his duty to Rome. Furthermore, he also easily persuades Casca to join his plot. He is, truly, a masterful puppeteer.
When the conspirators meet at Brutus' house later and they declare their intent, it is Cassius who sees the danger in Antony and suggests that he too, should be killed. We learn from this that he possesses great insight and understands his adversary and those associated with him. It is important to him that there are no loose ends, the destruction of his enemy must be complete. This kind of ruthless malice is typical of a Machiavellian character, which Cassius clearly is. He is the archetypal villain.
Again, later, after Caesar's murder, he is upset about Brutus giving Antony an opportunity to to speak at Caesar's funeral. He sees, unlike the naive Brutus, the danger in allowing Antony this concession. As it turns out, he was correct in his assumption, for Antony uses his oration to turn the citizens against the conspirators, who then have to flee for their lives.
Cassius is also a foil to Brutus. Where Brutus is noble and wishes to displace Caesar for the good of Rome, he Cassius, only bears self-interest. He clearly despises Caesar and wants to ensure his own ascension in status. With Caesar out of the way, he can assume greater power and possibly lead Rome with Brutus and a few others. Brutus has a good heart and bears no real malice - he displays a sage kindness towards Antony, for example, whilst Cassius wants him murdered. It is also clear that Cassius has no qualms about going on a murderous rampage, whilst Brutus does not want to be seen as a butcher, as he states after Cassius' suggestion that they should slay Antony:
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar:
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
Furthermore, Cassius is clearly corrupt for, later, on the fields of Sardis, he and Brutus argue about his failure to use funds that were provided for the soldiers. Brutus tells him:
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm;
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
Cassius obviously denies the charge and he loses his temper, whilst Brutus remains calm. Brutus also suggests that Cassius is cowardly, for he dared not challenge Caesar whilst he was still alive. Cassius is offended by the charge but Brutus is unapologetic. The two men, however, later resolve their differences and part friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment