Julius Caesar Manipulation Essay

Kaela Shea
English 9: World Studies
Nick Talotta
1/31/23

Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is a play written in 1599. This play is about the assassination of a young man named Julius Caesar. In the play, as well as in real life, Caesar was a prominent and powerful political figure in Rome. He was offered leadership of Rome and other countries many times, but he rejected each offer. In the play, there is a group of high-powered men, called the Conspirators, that want Caesar dead. Among this group are Brutus and Cassius. At first, Brutus was a trusted friend of Caesar, but Cassius convinces him that Caesar was selfish and did not have the best interests of Rome at heart. This made Brutus turn against him, and eventually take part in his

He does this by targeting Brutus’ honor, something Brutus values greatly, and by making himself seem much more honorable than he actually is. In the first scene with Brutus and Cassius, the two men have a conversation about Caesar. This is the beginning of the end of Brutus’ trust for Caesar. Cassius uses varying manipulation tactics throughout the play but starts with guilt-tripping. After Caesar and Brutus finish talking to the Soothsayer, Brutus bumps into Cassius. They talk about what the Soothsayer had said to

Brutus apologizes for Cassius’ feelings about him being an unhonorable friend. After his apology, Cassius goes on to insult Brutus’ honor again. In this paragraph, he is painting himself to be a caring and loving friend for Brutus, but in reality, he is not. Cassius convinces Brutus he does not actually know himself, “And since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus, Were I a common laughter, or did use To stale with ordinary oaths of my love To every new