The Bold Man And The Coward Essay, Research Paper

The play Julius Caesar is an eclectic mix of wise and ignorant, cunning and na?ve, heroes and cowards. The pageantry set forth in the play exemplifies the formality of everyday Roman life and the gravity of the official duties. Each main character in Julius Caesar has a positive quality that embraces the reader and a negative quality that leads to their tragic downfall. Although the characters possess more than two qualities, their strongest, most aggressive points shine through.

At the end of the play two characters are forced to penetrate each other?s minds and evaluate the good and evil. One is a domineering, egotistical, selfish conspirator. He lacks the power and appraisal that his enemy, Julius Caesar has, and, therefore, uses his envy and jealousy as a drive to convert others to challenge Caesar. His opposing force is a reserved, mediocre man who?s only love his the country he stands upon. The powerhouse of confidence versus the dollhouse of reservation ends in an explosion of destruction.

Marcus Brutus is the most admirable character in Julius Caesar. He is the only person involved in the conspiracy against Caesar for his country. He truly believes that Caesar?s ambition will ruin the fortitude of his beloved Rome. Brutus uses his hidden inner strength to survive the brutality of the conspiracy and the harsh reality of the aftermath.

In the beginning of the play, Brutus appears as a quiet lamb. He follows the herd, lives by example, and keeps his thoughts and opinions disclosed from the public masses. Although he is reserved, his undying desire for a better Rome shines through like light flowing from a stained-glass window.

When Cassius first confronts Brutus to become a member of the conspiracy, his lacking confidence is evident. Brutus says, ?Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, / that you would have me seek into myself/ for that which is not in me?? (1.2.45-47). However, his self-assurance grows as the play continues and by the end he stands up for his beliefs and backs them with power.

Brutus is admirable for his love and devotion to Rome. He was born Roman and died Roman. His affection for justice and honor is one of the most evident characteristics about him.

The opposite of Marcus Brutus is Gaius Cassius. He is a strong-willed, cunning, jealous villain who only wants Julius Caesar dead for his own, selfish reasons. He sees Caesar as an ambitious man who is after more power and control. What Cassius forgets to do is to evaluate his own image and realize his race for personal betterment.

Throughout the play, Cassius, like a cat, uses his mind controlling skills to climb his way to the top, not caring whom he pounces on in the end. He converts Brutus to his mere puppet. Cassius dreams of the thoughts and actions and has Brutus carry the negative plans out.

Cassius is the most villainous character because he is actually a coward. He is too afraid to go for his goals himself, to work hard and achieve the right to be a leader. Instead, he underhandedly commits other Romans to kill an adored leader for his own selfish merit and his proclaimed ?justice.? Cassius is even afraid to overcome a challenge with Brutus. Even during a devilish argument in

act IV, Cassius gives in to Brutus? desires (4.228-30). He is too afraid of losing his workman and too much of a coward to become the leader.

Brutus and Cassius are two opposite characters. Brutus is a compassionate, reserved, humane individual. He knows his goals and desires and goes after them quietly and respectively. He does everything for the good of Rome, even when it comes to sacrificing his life. Cassius, however, is a vile, envious coward, whose mind is like a tempest, longing to thrust danger upon those more powerful than he. Although both die gruesome deaths, Brutus dies an honorable, patriotic soul and Cassius dies a disgraceful, mischievous man.