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March 23, 2018 - February 5, 2021
Cassius is much the better conspirator, but much the worse man; and the better in that because the worse in this.
he is more impulsive and quick than Brutus, because less under the self-discipline of moral principle. His motives, too, are of a much more mixed and various quality, because his habits of thinking and acting have grown by the measures of experience; he studies to understand men as they are;
Cassius has many which he would fain hide even from himself. And he catches a sort of inspiration and is raised above himself by contact with Brutus. And Cassius, moreover, acts very much from personal hatred of Cæsar, as remembering how, not long before, he and Brutus had stood for the chief prætorship of the city, and Brutus through Cæsar's favor had got the election. And so Shakespeare read in Plutarch that "Cassius, being a choleric man, and hating Cæsar privately more than he did the tyranny openly, incensed Brutus against him."
The tone of Cassius is further indicated, and with exquisite art, in his soliloquy where, after tempering Brutus to his purpose, and finding how his "honorable metal may be wrought," he gently slurs him for being practicable to flatteries, and then proceeds to ruminate the scheme for working upon his vanity, and thereby drawing him into the conspiracy; thus spilling the significant fact, that his own honor does not stick to practice the arts by which he thinks it is a shame to be seduced.
Soothsayer. Beware the Ides of March.[58] Cæsar. What man is that? Brutus. A soothsayer[59] bids you beware the Ides of March. [60] 20 Cæsar. Set him before me; let me see his face. Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Cæsar. Cæsar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Soothsayer. Beware the Ides of March. Cæsar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass. [Sennet. [61] Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius][62] 25 Cassius. Will you go see the order of the course? Brutus. Not I. Cassius. I pray you, do. Brutus. I am not gamesome:[63] I do lack some part Of that quick spirit[64]
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Brutus. [95] What means this shouting? I do fear, the people Choose Cæsar for their king. 80 Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Brutus. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? 85If it be aught[96] toward the general good, Set honour in one eye and death i' the other, And I will look on both[97] [98] indifferently;[99] For let the gods so speed[100] me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. 90 Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do
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135 Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world[117] Like a Colossus,[118] and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: 140The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,[119] But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Cæsar: what should be[120] in that 'Cæsar?' Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; 145Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, 'Brutus' will start a spirit[121]
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Cæsar. Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights:[142] Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; 195He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.[143]
Cassius. I will do so: till then, think of the world. [Exit Brutus] 305 Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, Thy honourable metal[183] may be wrought From that it is dispos'd:[184] therefore it is meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd? 310Cæsar doth bear me hard,[185] but he loves Brutus: If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, He should not humour[186] me. I will this night, In several hands,[187] in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens, 315Writings, all tending to the great opinion That Rome holds of his name;
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Cassius. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy. This ensign[52] here of mine was turning back; I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 5 Titinius. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; Who, having some advantage on Octavius, Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil, Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.
