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Emotions In Julius Caesar

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All human beings are subjected to the flaw of submitting to their emotions, as seen in the characters Brutus and Cassius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Brutus and Cassius are prime examples of how emotions can have overwhelming effects on the judgment of humans, no matter how strong or logical they may seem to themselves or others. Ultimately, these characters were forced to surrender under these emotions leading to the characters internal conflict and their downfall. Cassius and Brutus are prominent characters in the play and are known for their expertise in politics and warfare. Cassius is a skilled politician and military leader who becomes the driving force behind the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar. Brutus, on the other hand, …show more content…

His inner turmoil leads him to make poor decisions and ultimately, his downfall. As William Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, "Between the acting of a dreadful thing / And the first motion, all the interim is / Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream"(II.1.63-65). This quote suggests that the period between deciding to commit a terrible act and actually carrying it out can be filled with fear and uncertainty. For Brutus, these emotions of fear and uncertainty manifest as guilt, leading him to make impulsive decisions. His decision to allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral is a prime example of this as it highlights one of the moments where his guilt is most evident. Brutus justifies his decision to let Antony speak by saying "It must be by his death: and for my part, / I know no personal cause to spurn at him, / But for the general. He would be crowned: / How that might change his nature, there's the question"(2.1.10-13). Brutus attempts to justify his decision by stating that he has no personal resentment toward Antony and only wants what is best for Rome. However, this statement reveals his guilt, as he admits that Caesar's death may have been unnecessary and resulted in unintended consequences. This was a fatal mistake, as Antony was able to sway the civilians to join against the conspirators as well as gain the support of the people of Rome. Had Brutus been able to control his guilt, he may have made a different decision and perhaps changed the

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