Balhara 1
Sahil Balhara
Mr. Reynolds
10th Honors Literature-5th Period
28 March 2016
Cassius as a foil to Brutus In any fiction novel, a foil is a character that prevents a major character from succeeding in the future. Cassius can be classified as the plotter who tries to highlight and mend Brutus’s good traits. Brutus was an ambivalent protagonist at the beginning of the play, but soon enough, turned objective since he was the only one who thought that Caesar’s death would benefit Rome. On the other hand, Cassius uses the personality traits of revengefulness, persistence, and determinism to lure the most necessary individual in his scheme. First of all, an instance occurs in Act One when Cassius uses flattery…show more content… The author exemplifies Cassius blackmailing Brutus into thinking that they will succeed in the execution of Caesar, if only no one else gets to know about the plan. Aporia is used as Shakespeare demonstrates Brutus’s sympathy towards Cassius, since he was the one to bring up the scheme, and it supports the power of his influence on words. Then, the major twist in the plot arrives when Caesar gets shocked by Brutus’s last stab: “Et tu, Brute” (III.I.77). It can be clearly pronounced that Caesar’s trust in the noble Brutus has completely shattered. Cassius wanted a unified Rome, but the hardships that the innocent man had to face in order to stab Caesar one time, was unnecessary. Behind the fall of a strong relationship, was unfortunately Cassius’s wrongdoing. Without anyone getting to know about the plan to kill Caesar, Cassius will be able to not only control Brutus now, but for future plans he feels that will unify Rome into one…show more content… During the feud between the two generals in the tent, Cassius coaxes Brutus: “Within, a heart dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold. If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth” (IV.III.106-108). Shakespeare displays to the audience that Brutus is being put into pressure, as he has to decide whether to live on with his dear friend, or realize that he was betrayed by a foe. Simile is present in the phrase “richer than gold,” and it is used by Cassius to compare his heart and soul to gold which has high values. He is saying that he is not a liar, and fulfills his rightful duties as a Roman citizen. However, Brutus views Cassius as arrogant and selfish from what he had said in Act One: “I was born free as Caesar’ so were you: we both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter’s cold” (I.II.97-99). Cassius addresses that he wants total power and authority not only on Brutus, but Rome too. Brutus sees his apparent “friend” as wanting a position that he expects himself to be at, and to be more superior to Caesar or any previous rulers. Unfortunately Brutus’s foolishness into getting lured by Cassius once again at the tent cost himself his life, as he died at the end of the battle between his army and Antony’s military. Throughout the play,
