Julius Caesar: Cassius As A Villain

Cassius is often referred to as a villain in the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. A villain is a play or stories antagonist. Traits of a villain include manipulative and untrustworthy. Cassius was a known companion of Caesar’s that was an active part in the assassination (Gaius). First of all, Cassius manipulates Brutus and the rest of the conspirators into helping him assassinate Caesar. Cassius wrote Brutus letters using different styles of handwriting to convince Brutus into assisting him, the letters were supposed to look like they were from the people of Rome. Here is what he says,
In several hands, in at his windows throw, As is they came from several citizens, Writings, all tending to the great opinion

If Brutus was a leader, so many citizens wouldn't have struggled under Caesar’s rule. Third of all, Cassius believed that Caesar did not deserve all of the power that he received which led him to performing these tasks of manipulation.
Another reason in saying that Cassius was a villain is that Cassius killed Julius Caesar. First, he was an active part in the murder. He helped plan it and he was one of the people who went through with killing Caesar. Second, it was important to Cassius to protect the Republic. Along with many other people, he didn't want Rome to become a dictatorship. Third, Cassius persuades Casca, Decius, Metellus, Brutus, and Trebonius to help him murder Caesar. He must have been very passionate about Caesar dying because it would probably take a lot of convincing to get five other people to help

First of all he was motivated by envy over Caesar’s power. Cassius felt that Caesar did not deserve to rule Rome. Secondly, Cassius was upset because he had saved Caesar from drowning in the Tiber River. “But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” (Shakespeare 1.2.110-111). In this quote Cassius describes a time when Caesar and him were by the river and Caesar dared Cassius to swim to the other side. When he was in, Cassius told Caesar to join him so he did but realized he couldn’t swim and yelled for Cassius to help him.Cassius described it as a time when Caesar was not a mighty god like he had been chosen to be but instead was a weak man. Last off, Cassius thinks that Caesar’s temper is dangerous. Cassius states;
As a sick girl! Ye gods! It doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone. (1.2.128-131)
Caesar could also be seen as villain and had to be killed in order to keep Rome and the republic safe. He was considered a villain because he took down the republic. Even though many people disliked Caesar and his ways, many people were also fond of Caesar such as Brutus who was still apart of the conspiracy. Brutus says “I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.” (1.2.82)
In conclusion, Cassius was manipulative and not a good friend that