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Alice Khaltsev
Mrs. Cracchiolo
10 Honors Literature and Composition
5 January 2017
The Strive for Power
Throughout history, many of the world's powerful leaders have tried to gain power over
others. Yet, all of these powerful people have used different ways to control and manipulate their
audiences. In
Julius Caesar, Cassius is a Roman man who assassinates Caesar, solely for the fact
that he supports Pompey, the enemy of Caesar. Cassius understands that he can only rise to great
authority, if the people of Rome support him. Thus, Cassius must use different techniques in
order to appeal to the people of Rome and his fellow friends. At the end of the play, Cassius is
able to persuade his fellow conspirators and the Roman society, into believing his horrid lies
about Julius Caesar. Therefore, Cassius is a character in the play who is successful in gaining
power over others.
In order to persuade others to aid Cassius in the death of Caesar, Cassius must use flattery
and sympathy in order to convince his fellow friends to murder Julius. He is able to manipulate
one powerful friend, Brutus, into helping him with the assassination of Caesar. In the beginning,
Cassius emphasizes the fact that Brutus is noble and honorable. He tells him to ...turn/ Your
hidden worthiness into your eye/ That you might see you shadow (I.i.58-60). Hence, Cassius is
able to gain control over Brutus by convincing Brutus he is a worthy and honorable man. Brutus
is able to feel a sense of pride that takes control of his mind, therefore Brutus is more

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vulnerable to Cassius manipulation. Cassius also proves Brutus superiority when he compares
him with the almighty Julius Caesar. He tells Brutus to Write them together, yours is a fair
name (I.ii.147). Therefore, Brutus starts to see himself equal to Caesar, and is able to fall under
the control of Cassius convincing words. Cassius opens Brutus eyes in order to allow Brutus to
see how mighty he is. Brutus now believes that Rome could benefit from a leader like he.
Henceforth, Cassius is able to control influential authorities with the usage of flattery and kind
words.
After the brutal death of Caesar, Cassius must gain total military control over a Roman
army, in order to protect himself from his enemies. Cassius must change the ways in which he
manipulates others. Instead of being compassionate and gentle as before, he becomes hostile and
tough. Yet, with these different methods of control, Cassius is still able to control powerful
people. When him and Brutus get into an argument about war tactics, he threatens Brutus and
makes him fearful. Brutus, bait not me. Ill not endure it./ You forget yourself/ To hedge me in.
I am a soldier (IV.iii.29-31). Thus, Cassius is able to establish a sense of fear within Brutus, that
allows him to take command over the Roman army. Cassius also establishes the fact that he is
not willing to take orders from anyone when he says, When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have
moved/ me (IV.iii.61-62). Cassius once again proves his power when he mentions that he is
stronger than Caesar. When Caesar was a leader, he was seen as a very courageous and brave
man. Yet, Caesar was careful around Cassius because he ...has a lean and hungry look
(I.ii.195). The greatest leader of Rome respected Cassius out of fear. Hence, Cassius is able to
take control over any strong leader, under any circumstance.

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Even though Cassius is not a direct leader, he is able to manipulate powerful leaders,
which gives him control over large communities of people. In the beginning of the play, Cassius
is a very kind man who uses sweet talk in order to convey his opinions to his fellow friends.
This flattery is very effective because it eventually leads to the death of Julius Caesar. Cassius
also uses a more hostile approach of persuasion in order to manipulate others. He threatens and
says harsh things that will frighten anyone in disagreement with him. Thus, Cassius is able to
gain control and manipulation over others by both compassion and gentleness; and by hostility
and viciousness.

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Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Texas: Holt McDougal, 2011. Print.