Home > Julius Caesar Summary & Study Guide > Julius Caesar Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   sagesource Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Caesar has noted a restlessness in Cassius that indicates that Cassius becomes easily discontented and jealous when dealing with those who have done better in life than he has. In a long discussion with Mark Antony in Julius Caesar Act I Scene 2, Caesar specifies exactly why he feels Cassius is dangerous. Beginning with the somewhat shallow-sounding observation that Cassius is too lean and "thinks too much," criticisms that make Caesar look silly, he moves into a more substantiative critique:

   He reads much,
   He is a great observer, and he looks
   Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
   As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
   Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
   As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit
   That could be moved to smile at any thing.
   Such men as he be never at heart's ease
   Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
   And therefore are they very dangerous.

   In short, Caesar claims that Cassius is a jealous and cynical obsessive, who will automatically become restless and hostile when he sees someone who is superior to him. Since earlier in the scene, we have observed Cassius working on Brutus to turn him against Caesar, Caesar's words appear extremely perceptive.
   

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/julius-caesar-text/act-i-scene-ii?s...

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by sagesource on Wednesday May 20, 2009 at 5:39 PM