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tori4
tori4
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What is one way Cassius flatters Brutus in Act 1, Scene 2 of "Julius Caesar"?

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Posted by tori4 on Monday March 9, 2009 at 5:45 PM and tagged with act i, brutus, cassius, characters, flatter, julius caesar.

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  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Cassius flatters Brutus in "Julius Caesar" by showing concern that Brutus has not shown him love as he

    was wont to have;/You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand/Over your friend that loves you.

    After Brutus explains his brown study as an inner conflict, Cassius flatters Brutus by asking him if he does not see "his own face"(I,ii,51); that is, his own worth.  To this Brutus replies that he can only see himself "by reflection, by some other things"(I,i,53)

    This comment opens the way for Cassius to manipulate Brutus.  He insists that Brutus is very worthy, has hidden noble qualities, so noble that some of the most respected people--except Caesar--have remarked that they wish Brutus understood his worthiness:

    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 wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.(I,ii,55-62)

    Still, Brutus is wary of Cassius and asks him "Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius"(I,i,63)  Cleverly and deceptively, Cassius skewers what Brutus says about honor:

    "Well, honor is the subject of my story..." (I,ii,32)

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/julius/act-one

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    Posted by mwestwood on Monday March 9, 2009 at 6:29 PM