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Brantley R. Bissette
Meyer
Honors 10 English
March 22, 2015
Cassius, Shakespeares Tragic Torch-Bearer
Ambition, deception, and murder are topics that should never surround any political
figure. For Gaius Cassius Longinus, however, these were a painfully obvious reality. Throughout
Shakespeares Julius Caesar, he establishes a reputation as the plays most manipulative and
cynical character. In the play, William Shakespeare recounts the murder of the Roman leader
Julius Caesar, along with the formation and collapse of the group of men who killed him in the
streets of Rome in cold blood. Cassius was the most inspired to kill the man, and thus formed the
conspiracy. In doing so, he recruits Brutus, a beloved politician whose primary concern is the
well-being of the citizens. He does this by convincing Brutus that the murder is in the citizens
best interest, when his personal are much darker. Cassiuss political ambition and pure hatred of
Caesar overrules his concern for the citizens of the republic, thus making him the villain.
This political ambition of his is never justified in the play. His reasons for killing Caesar
are entirely ignored. His conversations with Brutus and other conspirators inform the reader that
he finds the leader to be weak and perhaps unfit to rule. But these reasons alone could not
provide enough inspiration to kill a man. The reader is at many times left wondering, What is it
that Cassius really wants? The possible answers are numerous. He could be seeking leadership,
money, attention, or perhaps satisfaction. Regardless of the reason, a man with such evil intent is
not fit to rule. This bloodthirsty ambition of his makes him no better than the man he thrives to
kill. It also dampens his reputation and respect as a man.
His manliness and repute is further degraded by his deception of Brutus, the noblest of
the conspirators. Though the conspirators betrayal of Caesar is the main topic of the play,
Cassiuss betrayal of Brutus is by far more significant. Though some literary analysts claim that
the focus of the play is divided equally among six significant characters (Bullough 13), it seems

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that the storys intent is to focus on the development of the relationship between Brutus and
Cassius. Acts 1 and 2 are centered on Cassiuss manipulation of Brutus, to the point that they are
both murderous conspirators. To deceive a stranger is a distasteful offense, but to deceive a
brother in-law and good friend is nothing short of appalling. A man with such a pronounced lack
of moral awareness deserves no respect. Were Caesars faults so tainted as those of Cassius?
Again, it is important to note the fact that Cassius was such so dangerous that even the
great Caesar himself feared the man. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Cassius had an
uncontrollable temper and a sharp tongue. Behavior like this is suggested by the plays
dialogue, but not specifically detailed. Knowing these facts, one could argue that Cassius was
obviously more militant than political. This also would make him a hypocrite, as he thought
Caesar an unfit ruler for simply having the same qualities. Further analyzing Gaius Cassius
Longinus reveals more and more startling characteristics. His murderous intent did not stop at
the killing of Caesar. He also wanted to kill Caesars friend and political ally, Mark Antony.
Brutus, however, did not allow this to happen. Was there a limit to Cassiuss savagery?
Shakespeare identifies everyones faults in the play. In Cassiuss dialogue, he informs the
reader that Caesar is weak and acts differently in presence of the citizens. He proves that Brutus
is easily swayed, and that Antony lied to sway the people of Rome. However, a specific villain of
the play should be established. That villain, in fact, is Cassius. It is made obvious by his actions
throughout the play, from manipulating a close friend, to organizing and committing the murder
of the leader of Rome, and dying a confused coward in Philippi. Caesar was perhaps not the best
of leaders, but he also did not deserve to die, especially after all that he had done to better the
Republic. Every man in the play has faults that are exposed throughout the story, but Cassiuss
are evident from the start. The character of Cassius serves as the plays key example of tragedy.

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Shakespeare showed mans tragic behavior through him. Without Cassius, the play would not
exist, as history would have been dramatically different.

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Works Cited
Bullough, Geoffrey. A Tragic Chronicle. Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare.
Columbia University Press, 1964. 13-14. Print.
The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. Gaius Cassius Longinus. 1. Encyclopdia Britannica., 18

Dec 2014. Web. 18 Mar 2015.