Adam Hjouj Ms. Perrotta ENG1DB-05 2023-05-08 Selfishness and its Consequences, The Duality of Brutus and Cassius Oscar Wilde once said, “Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes.” Selfishness is a very common topic in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. It is evident that many people are only acting for themselves, especially leaders. In Julius Caesar, the two leaders Brutus and Cassius work together to assassinate the dictator Julius Caesar, but for very different reasons. Brutus is a noble leader looking out for Rome and its justice, while Cassius is a greedy man hungry for power. The duality of Brutus and Cassius is strongly represented by their conflicting interests. Through their desperation …show more content…
Many examples are shown to prove this, both Brutus and Cassius have very different reasoning behind their actions and other end goals to be sought. “Remember March, the ides of March remember. Did great Julius not bleed for justice’ sake? What [conspirator] [hurt] his body, that did stab. And not for justice?” (V, iii, 19-22). Brutus believes that both he and Cassius are working together for Caesar, and killed him to end corrupt acts in Rome. Brutus kills Caesar only for the justice of Rome, and fights and stays noble for Caesar. Cassius proves his selfishness by killing Caesar for his own benefit. “Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius, or [Caesar] sink…so from the waves of Tiber Did [I carry] the tired Caesar. And this man Is now become a god, and Cassius is A wretched creature and must bend his body.”(I, ii, 118, 121-124). Cassius used the people of Rome to gain power, Cassius helped Caesar in different situations solemnly to gain his respect and become a nobleman of Rome. He was plotting to become one of his trusted men since the beginning, only to abuse his trust and betray him once he had the chance. Their reasoning behind their actions shows the difference between a noble leader, and a self-centred leader working only for