How Is Julius Caesar Manipulated

Every character in a story has another character that contrasts with each other. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, two political leaders Brutus and Antony’s characters contrast with one another, for instance, both Antony and Brutus are charismatic and well respected among Rome, but, they also have differences, like Brutus is depicted as honorable, but easily manipulated, while Antony is shown as persuasive. Following the assassinaton of Caesar, Brutus speaks to a crowd of common people and displays his rhetoric and charisma. This is shown when the common people are influenced with his words. He states, "not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than

This is expressed when Brutus states, “My heart doth joy that yet all in my life I found no man but he was true to me. I shall have glory by this losing day;” (IV.V.34-36). What Brutus is saying is that every man he has met has been manipulative with him and he has made the mistake of being honest with them. This leads to him being very trusting of everyone because of his honest values. Explaining that Brutus is too honest for his own good which causes him to be manipulated. This leads him to joining the conspirators and his following downfall also turning him into a tragic hero. This helps us understand Brutus’s character, instead of us believing that he joined the conspirators out of pure hatred for Caesar, we can understand that he was manipulated by Cassius into believing in the wrong. While Brutus is seen as honest but easily manipulated, Antony’s character contrasts with Brutus’s because he is persuasive and manipulative while contrasting with Brutus being easily influenced. This is indicated when Antony is giving out his hand shake. He says, "Let each man render me his bloody hand. First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand... yours, good, Trebonius" (III, i, 185-190). Antony is depicted as manipulating. Highlighting that Antony uses handshakes to manipulate and persuade the conspirators to believe that he has no ill intentions against them and that he sides with them. This leads Brutus to trust him and let him live. This also convinces Brutus to allow him to speak at Caesar's