Manipulation & Persuasion in Julius Caesar

Throughout Shakespeare’s work “Julius Caesar”, the element of Manipulation and Persuasion is sprinkled. These attributes not only take the story ahead leading to its tragic conclusion but also provide significant insights into the various characters who essays them.

Let us explore through some striking examples by starting off with the uncrowned king of Manipulation and Persuasion – Caius Cassius

Instance # 1 | Act 1 Scene 2

At the Feast of Lupercal, after Caesar’s procession goes away and Cassius and Brutus’ takes the centerstage, Cassius very slyly earns the confidence of Brutus by playing himself self-deprecating, stating he seems to have fallen off favor with noble Brutus. Thus, he successfully gets insight into Brutus’ emotions who reveal he himself is vexed with the how events have shaped up and gives a peek into his nascent belief that Rome may not fare well under the emperorship of Julius Caesar.

Getting a foot in the door of Brutus’ feelings, Cassius peels him further with concern-coated pitch like Brutus himself cannot see his own virtues and that a mirror is needed to make Brutus aware of his noble qualities, and meekly offers himself to be that mirror. He reveals how certain sections of the Roman elite regard Brutus and wish Brutus to lead Rome as the emperor.

Thereafter, Cassius deftly extrapolates Brutus’ fear and concocts stories of Caesar’s physical frailties and expresses his despair on the accession of Caesar. Cassius continues to fuel Brutus’ ego with flattery like Brutus’ name is no less in gravitas as Caesar and that Brutus’ forefathers had saved Rome once by taking the “burden” of its reins in their hands. This talk had swayed Brutus’ feeling against Caesar as the King of Rome to the next level.

Cassius even did throw anonymous letters into Brutus’ home with praises written for the latter masquerading them as if they had been sent to Brutus from the common Roman people who secretly desire Brutus to take control and stop the coronation of Caesar.

Instance # 2 | Act 1 Scene 3

Cassius strikes Casca with his manipulative best on the street in the stormy night. He presents himself as challenging the storm to rip into him as he believes the storm is insignificant compared to the one that is ongoing in the power corridors of Rome and that is what has been destroying his inner peace.

When Casca is not impressed, Cassius further spins the story citing that Casca has grown dull and does not carry the traits of a true Roman. He further stresses this climatic storm and events like a lion roaming in the Capitol are indications, warnings from the Gods of the turmoil that will unfold before Rome if something is not done soon.

He succeeds in getting mention of Caesar’s name from Casca, but he does not pounce on it immediately. He continues to cry about the dilapidated state of Roman people and that they have chosen to suffer in silence rather than to do anything about their miseries. Upon the second mention of Caesar from Casca’s mouth, Cassius leaps onto it like a snake and declares to eliminate Caesar and bring freedom for himself and Rome.

Upon the first indication that Casca is swayed, he continues to equate the Romans as quiet as sheep which makes Caesar regard himself as a lion. He further says Romans are like trash, who have submitted to Caesar using which Caesar will become king and burn the glittering legacy of Rome that has been built over the years by their forefathers.

Casca gets completely bought out and pledges his support to Casius in his endeavor to “save” Rome!

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