Read Act 1, scenes 1 & 2 and fill in the Venn Diagram below comparing the similarities and

differences between Caesar and Cassius:

(This will be discussed with 801 & 802 tomorrow– Wednesday)

similarities Caesar Cassius

observant/great judge of –distrusts Cassius: “I do not –“He is a great observer”

character know the man I should avoid Caesar says of him
so soon as that spare – “I do observe you now of
Cassius”/ calls him late” Cassius to Brutus
“dangerous” twice
– knows that Cassius is
jealous of his growing
power–”such men as he be
never at heart’s ease whiles
they behold a greater than
themselves”

Ambitious Wants to be king “Why should Caesar bear the

(Evidence from below for palm alone?”
arrogant/godike can be used
here) The whole conspiracy against
Casca says that Caesar Caesar is to take power away
really wanted the crown and from him and for himself.
would have accepted it had
he not fainted.

arrogant/godlike
“soar above the view of men “Ay, as Aeneas, our great
and keep us in servile ancestor”--calls himself the
fearfulness” legendary founder of Rome
”This man has now become
god”
“when Caesar says, ’Do this’,
it is perform’d”
“For always I am Caesar”
Differences b/w Cassius and Caesar:

Cassius
manipulative – flatters Brutus: “I your glass will modestly
discover to yourself” that which you not know
–knows Brutus loves honour: “i know that
virtue to be in you” and uses that to
manipulate him against Caesar

mocking/sarcastic “Except immortal Caesar”, “this god did

shake”
Caesar thinks Cassius never smiles and
when he does it is as though he “mocks”

Not superstitious – “Men at some time are masters of their

fates
–”The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but
in ourselves”

Caesar

Superstitious – “Stand you directly in Antonio’s way”

– “ our elders say the barren touched in this
holy chase shake off their sterile curse”

Conscious of image – “ he is a dreamer. Let us leave him.Pass”--

does not want to seem superstitious in front
of the public
– “i fear him not” / “i rather tell thee what is to
be feared than what i fear