Parro 1 Brian Parro Dr. Hollander English 10 HONORS 13 February 2012 Loyalty vs.

Betrayal George William Curtis states, A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle (Curtis 2). True loyalty will never waver, and can lead people to betray everything to honor their true loyalty. This quote explains the reasons to remain loyal to a mans country, or leaders. In William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, loyalty to previous rulers in exemplified through Cassius loyalty to Pompey, the former ruler of Rome. After Julius Caesar defeats Pompey to take control of Rome, Cassius, a manipulative betrayer, plots a conspiracy against Julius Caesar as a final act of loyalty to Pompey. The consequences of Cassius manipulative characteristics, makes Brutus betray his friend, Julius Caesar, which leads to the inevitable demise of Julius Caesar. Cassius is full of jealousy and envy, and will stop at nothing to avenge Pompey. Cassius uses his manipulative abilities to lead Brutus down a path against his loyalties to Julius Caesar and Rome. Finally, Cassius is very witty, and knows who he needs on his side and what he needs to do to overthrow Julius Caesar. And to take Rome back, even if it means making Brutus betray his friend, Julius Caesar. Cassius is the perfect conspirator against Julius Caesar because he has all of his own reasons. One of Cassius characteristics is jealousy and envy. Cassius is jealous that Julius Caesar became the ruler of Rome, and envies Julius Caesar because he took

 Parro 2 the position from Pompey, who Cassius was very loyal to. While talking to Brutus, Cassius says, "I was born free as Caesar; so were you: / We both have fed as well, and we can both / Endure the winter's cold as well as he" (Shakespeare 1.2.97). Cassius is jealous that Julius Caesar has grown to higher qualities in he himself has. Cassius relates Julius Caesar back to birth, where all of them were equal. Through Cassius jealousy, Brutus is being manipulated into conspiring against Julius Caesar, which is another devious quality of Cassius. In order for Cassius to have any chance at overthrowing the popular and well liked Julius Caesar, Cassius must have the support of the well liked Brutus. Since Brutus is loyal to his love, Rome and the people of Rome, Cassius must manipulate Brutus into accepting the opinion that Julius Caesar needed to be replaced. Cassius says, 'Tis just,/ And it is very much lamented, Brutus,/ That you have no such mirrors as will turn/ your

hidden/ worthiness into your eye/ That you might see your shadow. I have heard/ Where many of the best respect in Rome,/ Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus/ And groaning underneath this age's yoke,/ Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. (Shakespeare 1.2.54). In this example, Cassius is flattering Brutus by complimenting his ego and how the people of Rome simply love Brutus. Whether what Cassius says is true, or not, Cassius is simply boosting Brutus ego, trying to make Brutus appreciate Cassius more so Brutus will help Cassius when he asks. This is basic manipulation! Cassius believes that he will be able to manipulate Brutus through compliments, and get Brutus on his side. Another example of Cassius manipulating Brutus to go against Julius Caesar is during a conversation between Cassius and Brutus while Julius Caesar is rejecting the crown. Cassius says, Men at some time are masters of their fates:/ The fault, dear

 Parro 3 Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves that we are underlings./ Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that "Caesar"?/ Why should that name be sounded more than yours?/ Write them together, yours is as fair a name;/ Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;/ Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,/ "Brutus" will start a spirit as soon as "Caesar." (Shakespeare 1.2.139). This is Cassius attempt to convince Brutus to join the conspirators against Caesar. Cassius is exaggerating the personal glory Brutus will receive if he joins the conspirators. For most leaders, personal glory would drive them to do anything, and even more extreme for Brutus. Brutus love for Rome is emanates in a circle. He also wants Rome to love him, and glory typically brings support and love. As a result of Cassius master manipulation, the number of conspirators against Julius Caesar will increase, and they will all be at the will of Cassius. For the conspirators against Julius Caesar to successfully overthrow Caesar, they had to have an airtight plan and be very accurate and precise with planning and execution. Due to the wittiness and intelligence of Cassius, the conspirators will be able to overthrow Julius Caesar and take control of Rome. Cassius says, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves, that we are underlings." (Shakespeare 1.2.140). During this conversation between Cassius and Brutus, Cassius tries to convince Brutus that overthrowing Julius Caesar would be best for Rome. Cassius is very witty in doing this because he realizes that Brutus is a man loyal to Rome. Cassius knows that Brutus will only overthrow Caesar if it is best for Rome, and due to Cassius intelligence, Brutus will think overthrowing Julius Caesar is best for Rome, and then Brutus will join the conspirators. The witty Cassius also knows that Brutus is the only one he still needs on his side to successfully overthrow Julius Caesar.

 Parro 4 Some may argue that Julius Caesar would have demised without the conspirators plot to remove Julius Caesar. Due to Julius Caesars many weaknesses, they think that the people of Rome would have realized that Julius Caesar was a weak leader and would have removed him. Also, a different, more powerful military leader could have come around to challenge and beat Julius Caesar, the same way Caesar took Rome from Pompey. This argument is not true because the people of Rome simply loved Julius Caesar, even with the knowledge that Caesar faints frequently. His inability to swim would not change Caesars popularity with the Roman people. Also, history has played out, and no powerful military leader emerged shortly after Julius Caesars death, so no one would have challenged Julius Caesar. Therefore, this argument is false. Cassius was jealous and envious of Julius Caesar, was master manipulator, and a very smart man. As a result of Cassius skills in manipulation, he was able to recruit Brutus to the conspirators, and ensure that Brutus betrayed his friend, so that Julius Caesar would surely die.

 Parro 5 Citations Curtis, George William. "Brainy Quotes." Brainy Quotes. BookRags Media Network, Winter 2011-2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/loyalty.html>.

Shakespeare, William, and Lawrence Mason. "Act I." The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,. New Haven: Yale UP, 1919. Print.