Caesar and Brutus share several personality traits and attributes. Both men are esteemed politicians who are respected by their peers and revered by the public. They are also powerful, influential men and play an important role in Rome's political arena. Caesar entertains the possibility of becoming emperor, while Brutus is known as an intelligent, prominent politician. Caesar and Brutus also admire and respect each other. Caesar trusts Brutus, and Brutus finds it difficult to assassinate his close friend.

Both men are also capable and ambitious. Caesar is accomplished on the battlefield and desires to disband the Republic in order to become emperor. Brutus demonstrates his ambition by leading the conspirators and carrying out the assassination. Similar to Caesar, Brutus seizes an opportunity and takes matters into his own hands to change the course of history. Caesar and Brutus are also risk-takers and make costly mistakes. Caesar makes the mistake of traveling to the Senate, where he is brutally murdered, and Brutus allows Antony to live, which has disastrous results.

Despite their similarities, Caesar and Brutus have entirely different personalities and goals. Caesar is a selfish, arrogant man and views himself as superior to others. Caesar is also focused on his political career and concerned about usurping power. In contrast, Brutus is a mild-mannered, humble individual who is selflessly concerned about the Roman population.

The only reason Brutus chooses to murder Caesar is to preserve the Republic and protect the citizens from a possible tyrant. Unlike Caesar, Brutus is inexperienced in political matters and naively believes that Cassius shares his concern for the people. Brutus lacks Caesar's shrewd, keen nature and trusts greedy politicians like Cassius.

Caesar is a man of action, while Brutus is an intellectual. Caesar is an extrovert. We never see him when he is not with someone else, and often he is surrounded by people, as he is at the time of his assassination. On the other hand, Brutus is often alone. He is an introvert. Even his wife Portia complains that he does not spend much time with her and refuses to confide in her. Caesar is ambitious. Brutus is not ambitious. Brutus seems happiest when he is able to read a book in private or just to meditate. Caesar likes Brutus, probably because Brutus is so different that their personalities complement each other's. Caesar also knows he can trust Brutus because of Brutus' noble character, and they are on the same level intellectually. Both men are superior to the men around them, and they both know it. This makes both of them seem egotistical, although both are smart enough to be courteous to everyone they deal with. Both men are highly respected for their strong characters. Brutus, like Antony, stands in Caesar's shadow. Both Brutus and Antony start to change when Caesar is eliminated. Both become more self-reliant, self-assertive, opinionated, domineering. The changes that take place in these two characters are among the most interesting aspects of Shakespeare's play. Antony makes a good leader, but Brutus does not. Brutus is too introverted, too bookish to be a strong, popular and successful leader. Antony has been a companion and protege of Caesar for many years; as a result he has absorbed a lot of Caesar's military and political wisdom. In the meantime, Brutus has been studying philosophy. Philosophers are not good teachers when it comes to practical matters. Caesar and Antony are "street smart," while Brutus is "book smart." Cassius is more like Caesar and Antony than he is like his partner Brutus. 

Caesar and Brutus are both important men, in positions of honour; they are political leaders who are respected and looked up to, and they are also close friends. By the start of the play, however, Caesar has already supplanted Brutus in terms of power and position and has, indeed, become the single most powerful man in Rome. 

The two men are notably different in character and outlook. Caesar is egoistic; he refers to himself grandly in the third person and is rather arrogant in his attitude towards others. Brutus, on the other hand, is very courteous and kindly towards others in his manner. Even more, he is concerned for others in political terms; he wants to preserve the Roman republic, where no one man can be allowed to amass supreme power, like Caesar. Whereas Caesar appears something of a political opportunist, seizing the chance for personal gain, Brutus is politically idealistic and acts for the greater good of Rome, not for himself. It is true that Caesar is seen to benefit the people of Rome in his will, but he does not at any time appear to care for the people in a political sense, as Brutus does.

Therefore, the two men differ considerably in their political opinions, actions, and general attitude towards others. Tragically, Brutus ends up feeling compelled to kill his old friend for the sake of his political idealism (which also marks him out as naive). He wrestles with his conscience over the matter:

It must be by his death: and for my part, 
I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 
But for the general. (II.i.10-12)

Brutus, then, is forced to admit that he has no 'personal' reason for killing Caesar at all, only his own belief that he has to act for the 'general' good, in a purely abstract sense. In the event, the ordinary citizens of Rome, in whose name he acts, prove themselves incapable of understanding his motives and turn against him and the other conspirators.

"Julius Caesar" is currently undergoing a bit of a critical reappreciation and - as you'll see if you look at other JC Q&As on enotes - there's a lot of argument about the play. So first point is that it depends on how you read the play.

But - for my money - the two are actually very similar characters. Antony says Brutus was "Caesar's angel", and that Caesar loved Brutus dearly (in fact, in some of the sources of the play, Brutus is Caesar's son!). They have a close relationship, it seems, and it is Brutus' betrayal which horrifies Caesar most ("Et tu Brute?" famously expresses shock that even Brutus is part of the conspiracy).

Both men spend most of the play referring to themselves in the third person, a habit not really shared by other characters in the play, and one which underlines their arrogance. As Cassius says

Brutus, and Caesar: what should be in that Caesar?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?

Brutus is dragged into the conspiracy by an appeal to his arrogance and honour - and even he, idealistically, claims "not because I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more". Caesar's arrogance leads him to think that he's invincible, and he goes to the Capitol, refusing to send an excuse.

Both men get key decisions wrong. Both men are idealistic and arrogant. Both men - in Shakespeare's play - end up dead.

Compare Brutus and Cassius. How are they the same, and how are they different? Compare and contrast the two characters in Julius Caesar.

Brutus and Cassius are leading members of the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar when he attends the Senate on the ides of March. Both are prominent men in Roman public life with a correspondingly high opinion of themselves. As such, they regard themselves as having the right to determine the future direction of Rome, even if it means resorting to murder.

Brutus is passionately committed to the Roman Republic. Like many prominent politicians in Rome, he's genuinely concerned that the Republic is under threat from Caesar's political ambitions. Caesar has already turned himself into a dictator; to the likes of Brutus, it's just a matter of time before he crowns himself king, thus bringing the Republic to an end.

Brutus's motivations for joining the plot to murder Caesar are largely selfless. Caesar may be his friend, and there's no doubt that he loves him, but he loves Rome more. Hence his decision to get involved in the assassination plot. For Brutus, the Roman Republic is bigger than any one individual, be it himself or Caesar.

Cassius's involvement in the plot, however, is entirely self-serving. In becoming embroiled in Caesar's murder, this man with the “lean and hungry look” is simply out for what he can get.

As a member of the patrician class, Cassius deeply resents Caesar's shameless populism, the way he goes out of his way to appeal to the plebs, the ordinary people of Rome. There's also more than a hint of jealousy about Cassius's resentment towards Caesar. Cassius may be able to manipulate people to do his bidding—Brutus being an obvious example—but Caesar has gone one better in manipulating the people of Rome, and Cassius hates him for it.

Compare Brutus and Cassius. How are they the same, and how are they different? Compare and contrast the two characters in Julius Caesar.

The most obvious similarity between Brutus and Cassius is the fact that they both want to be rid of Caesar, albeit for different reasons. Furthermore, both are respected senators and have garnered much honor for their bravery. It is obvious that each of the two men deserve their status. Both of them have a following and are much admired by those they lead. 

The main contrast between the two men lies in their different ambitions. Cassius' desires are clearly self-serving, while Brutus cares more about Rome than his aspirations. Caesar himself comments about Cassius having a "lean and hungry look" in Act l:

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.

Compare Brutus and Cassius. How are they the same, and how are they different? Compare and contrast the two characters in Julius Caesar.

Compare Brutus and Cassius. How are they the same, and how are they different? Compare and contrast the two characters in Julius Caesar.

 Brutus and Cassius are both quite ambitious. I would say that is where their similarities stop. Cassius is manipulative and is motivated by his own desires for power. Brutus, however, truly wants what is best for Rome and thinks carefully about any of his actions to be sure that what he is doing is for the good of the Roman people.

Compare Brutus and Cassius. How are they the same, and how are they different? Compare and contrast the two characters in Julius Caesar.

For an in-depth answer, this would be a very good question for the Enotes Q&A section. Briefly, they are alike in their desire to be free of the potential tyranny of Caesar. They differ in how they approach the problem of Caesar. Cassius is willing to resort to any tactics to get what he wants. Brutus always wants to do things in an honorable and noble manner.

Compare and contrast the characters of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar.

Both Brutus and Cassius are respected career politicians, who have a desire to prevent Julius Caesar from ruling Rome as a monarch. They both view Caesar as potentially dangerous and conspire to assassinate him. Both Brutus and Cassius participate in Caesar's murder and join forces to fight against Octavius, Mark Antony, and Lepidus during Rome's civil war.

But despite their many similarities, Brutus and Cassius have different personalities and abilities. Brutus is a rather naive individual and is easily manipulated by Cassius into joining the conspirators. In contrast, Cassius is a shrewd politician, who is cunning and influential. Cassius is also a selfish person, who conspires against Caesar for personal gain. After murdering Caesar, Brutus discovers that Cassius has been accepting bribes and selling political offices. Unlike Cassius, Brutus is an honorable man with integrity. Brutus makes the difficult decision to join the conspirators because he genuinely believes that Caesar is a threat to the Roman Republic. Brutus fears Caesar's ambitious nature and does not want the Roman citizens to be ruled by a tyrant. In Act Five, Scene 5, Antony refers to Brutus as the "noblest Roman of them all."

Compare and contrast the characters of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar.

Enotes has many excellent sources for your question, so also look there, but I will give you a brief answer! Brutus is one of the main conspirators, yet he assists in the assassination of Caesar out of a sense of honor and for the good of Rome, truly believing Rome is better off without Julius Caesar. On the other hand, Cassius, also a main conspirator, is ambitious, and even Brutus accuses him of having an "itching palm," being greedy. He is shrewder than Brutus. Brutus believes in the goodness of people and trusts Mark Antony even after Cassius warns him of Antony's character. Both men end up committing suicide. Brutus's misplaced trust is a main cause for the failure of the conspiracy!

Compare and contrast the characters of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar.

Shakespeare always had to keep his audience in mind. They would be seeing a number of different men dressed in costumes supposed to look like those actually worn by ancient Romans. The audience would not, of course, recognize one as Brutus, one as Cassius, one as Caesar, etc. An important logistical problem for the playwright was simply distinguishing the various actors by names, characters, motives, sympathies, and alliances--just in order to establlish their identities. It should be noted that these characters are always calling each other by name, although this is not natural in ordinary conversation. For example, when Brutus and Cassius hold their initial conversation in Act 1, Scene 2, there is an obvious effort to enable the audience to tell them apart.

BRUTUS

I am not gamesome: I do lack some part
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I'll leave you.

CASSIUS

Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
And show of love as I was wont to have:
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.

BRUTUS

Cassius,
Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look,
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference,
Conceptions only proper to myself,
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors;
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved--
Among which number, Cassius, be you one--
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.

CASSIUS

Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS

No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself,
But by reflection, by some other things.

This sort of name-calling, or "tagging," continues throughout the play. Not only does Brutus call Cassius Cassius, but he even refers to himself as Brutus. They also refer to others by name, including Caesar, Antony, and Casca. The audience gradually remembers that Cassius is not Caesar because Cassius is referring to some other actor as Caesar, and Caesar is not Antony, and so on. There are only two women in the play, Calpurnia and Portia, and they seem to have been included mainly for some contrast to all the men in their robes and togas. The only male character who may be distinguished by his costume is probably Caesar, because his robe will be important later on.

Shakespeare portrays Brutus as noble and public-spirited in contrast to Cassius, who is selfish and cunning. Both men are members of the old aristocracy and quite correctly fear that Caesar intends to become sole ruler of Rome. Brutus is a deep thinker and guarded in his speech. Cassius is emotional and garrulous. Brutus is an introvert; Cassius is an extravert. Brutus is a philosopher; Cassius is a schemer and manipulator who cares about money and not about truth or ideals. The best comparison between the two men is given by Cassius after his conversation with Brutus in Act 1, Scene 2. (Note how many times he mentions names, including his own.)

Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honourable metal may be wrought
From that it is disposed: therefore it is meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus:
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius,
He should not humour me.

What are the similarities and differences between the characters Brutus and Cassius?

There are more differences than similarities between the characters of Brutus and Cassius. The two men are similar in being courageous warriors, distinguished Romans, and in both being opposed to the obviously dangerous monarchical ambitions of Julius Caesar. Since Brutus and Cassius are the most important characters in the play, Shakespeare evidently wanted to distinguish them by highlighting their differences. Cassius is selfish, envious, and greedy. He is worldly wise and cunning. He is more outgoing than Brutus. He understands people far better than Brutus because he judges others by himself--and there are always more people like Cassius than like Brutus.

Brutus is a loner, a book-lover, a philosopher. He is moved by ideals rather than by personal interests. Like Cassius, he judges others by himself and consequently makes bad mistakes, most notably by sparing Antony's life and giving him permission to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus is kind, generous, and patriotic. He and Cassius are mismatched as partners and were bound to have serious problems in governing together, as dramatized in their famous quarrel in Brutus' tent in Act 4, Scene 2. Brutus only became involved in Cassius' plot to assassinate Caesar because he mistakenly believed Cassius to be noble, patriotic, and altruistic--like himself. 

Brutus is obviously a much better man than Cassius. Even Brutus' enemy Marc Antony pays him tribute at the end of the play when Antony and Octavius are viewing Brutus' dead body on the battlefield at Philippi.

ANTONY
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “This was a man!”

What are the differences between Brutus and Cassius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

I think it is interesting to look at the differences between Brutus and Cassius from Caesar's perspective. According to Caesar, Cassius has a lean, hungry look:

Cassius over there has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.

Caesar is very perceptive. He realizes Cassius is dangerous.

No doubt, Cassius is very critical of Caesar when he and Brutus are talking. Cassius is greedy himself. He uses deceit and false petitions to convince Brutus to join the conspirators.

Brutus is an honorable man. He loves Caesar, but he loves Rome more:

Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome
more. Would you rather Caesar were living, and you all die slaves, than that Caesar were dead, so you all live freemen? As Caesar loved me, weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I killed him.
There are tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who is here so low that they would rather be a slave? If there are any, speak, because I have offended him.

Brutus had good intentions when he slew Caesar. He admits that loved Caesar and that Caesar loved him. More than anything else, Caesar's dying words prove that Brutus is an honorable man. When Caesar realizes that Brutus is in on the conspiracy, he cries out "Et tu Brute? Then fall Caesar."

Caesar is in agreement with Brutus that if Brutus sees the need to kill Caesar, then Caesar must need to die. That is the confidence that Caesar had in Brutus.

As Brutus falls upon his own sword in death, Antony proclaims that Brutus was an honorable man:

This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, except him,
Did that they did out of jealousy of great Caesar;
Only he, in a general-honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, "This was a man!"

What are the differences between Brutus and Cassius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Brutus is an introvert; Cassius is an extravert. Brutus is often shown alone. Cassius is always with someone in the play.

Brutus is an idealist; Cassius is a realist.

Brutus is unselfish; Cassius is a greedy miser.

Brutus is self-sufficient; Cassius is competitive.

Brutus is honest; Cassius is typically dishonest.

Brutus is bookish; Cassius is worldly wise.

Brutus is likeable; Cassius is not liked by most people, including Caesar.

It should be remembered that Shakespeare's characters are not the real Brutus and Cassius of history. I think Shakespeare got most of his information from Plutarch, in translation. Shakespeare wanted to give his characters striking distinguishing character traits in order to differentiate them for his audience. It is hard to understand why Shakespeare's Brutus and Cassius should be such good friends, since they are so different. Maybe Cassius is trying to disguise his true nature most of the time. He has different reasons than Brutus for wanting to assassinate Caesar. He wants power and wealth. He is also afraid of Caesar, who might actually have Cassius killed or exiled if he became absolute ruler.

Compare and contrast the characters of Brutus, Cassius, Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.

First of all, Julius Caesar is seen as perhaps the weakest of these four characters. He suffers seizures; in the swimming match with Cassius, he cries,"Help me, Cassius or I sink" (Act I, Scene 2), and he wavers between superstition and ego when his wife tries to persuade him not to go to the Senate. However, he is a cunning man, much like Antony and Cassius. He refuses the crown to appear unambitious. Cassius is extremely ambitious and is a main instigator in the Conspiracy. We also find out he is somewhat greedy. Antony is clever and wants power, yet he also wants the good of Rome. He is a brilliant orator and is liked by the people.

Of all the characters, Brutus is motivated by good. He does not act out of ambition or greed, but for what he believes is truly the good of Rome! Brutus is also liked by the Romans though Antony changes that. Cassius and Brutus both commit suicide; Caesar is assassinated; Antony lives to join the Second Triumvirate! (A quick answer to a very big question as you could come up with lots more. Look further in the enotes links!)

How can I compare and contrast the two characters Brutus and Cassius in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare?

Cassius and Brutus are the main two people who head up the plot to assassinate Caesar. Interestingly, although Cassius throughout the play shows that he is a more accurate and canny judge of character, he constantly refers to the leadership of Brutus, even against his better judgement.

Cassius makes it clear that his motivation for wanting to topple Caesar from power is both political ideology and his own personal envy of Caesar. In the scene where Cassius persuades Brutus he makes this abundantly clear by expressing his resentment that Caesar is now akin to a "god". He also shows that he will let nothing get in his way when he states in his soliloquy that he will send Brutus forged letters to further persuade him to join his cause.

Cassius has a deep love and friendship with Brutus, and it is this perhaps that causes him to defer to the judgement of Brutus, in spite of his own superior abilities to judge situations. We see this when Cassius wants Mark Antony killed too, and then also when Cassius expresses his concerns about allowing Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral.

Finally, at the battle of Philippi, his poor sight leads to the mistaken report that his friend Titinius is dead. Cassius therefore kills himself. Critics have viewed this as deeply symbolic - Cassius is has poor sight, both biologically, and in the context of the play as he doesn't truly understand the conspiracy, its consequences and his role in it.

Looking at Brutus in comparison, you will want to examine his motivation for joining the conspiracy (very different from the motivation of Cassius), his devotion to Roman republicanism, and his role as a tragic hero. Brutus attempts to moderate the conspiracy, by saying "Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers" and states his reason for killing Caesar as being "Not that I lov'd Caesar less, but that I lov'd Rome more", and states that Caesar was killed because of his ambition. Some have suggested that Brutus too, like Cassius, is blind, but in his inability to separate his political idealism from his own personal motivation. Lastly, Brutus attacks prematurely, showing his poor military skills, but rather than face the dishonour of being taken to Rome, kills himself.

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, explain Brutus's character as compared to Cassius.

In William Shakespeare’s drama Julius Caesar, the protagonist is Marcus Brutus.  His decisions are based on his personal philsophy of stoicism. Stoics try not to be influenced by their emotions. 

Stoics believe that a person must make his own decisions based on logic and reasoning.  

How does this impact Brutus’s choice to be a part of the conspiracy? 

Brutus tells the audience that he loves Caesar.  This does not stop him from making the choice to kill him.  Brutus struggles with the decision to join the conspiracy; however, in the end, he believes that Caesar must be deposed for the good of Rome and its citizens.

Is Brutus true to himself when he joined the conspiracy?

As a person who makes his decisions based on logic and not emotions, Brutus follows the stoic philosophy.  Another aspect of stoicism comes from idea that the person who makes his choices then keeps them to himself.  Brutus was unwilling to share his decision with his wife Portia. She forces him to share his decision by cutting her leg.

When Portia kills herself, Brutus barely shows any outward emotion.  He does express anger toward Cassius and blames his anger on Portia’s death.  Even when Messala tells him about Portia,  Brutus shows little emotion---he is a stoic.

Was Brutus tricked by Cassius into joining the conspiracy?

A stoic makes his own decisions.  Brutus tells the audience that he has struggled over the choice to become an assassin.  Before Cassius says anything about his own feelings, Brutus was already “at war with himself.”  He listens to Cassius, but chooses his own path.

BRUTUS:

It must be by his death, and, for my part,

 I know no personal cause to spurn at him,

But for the general…

Cassius is obviously not a stoic.  Throughout the play, Cassius shows his emotions at every turn.  During the storm, he bares his chest and tells the gods to let the lightning strike him if he is not making the right decision.  Of course, nothing happens.

What is the difference in the reasons for joining the conspiracy between Cassius and Brutus?

Cassius despises Caesar.  He has seen Caesar at his most vulnerable and found him lacking.  Cassius saves the life of Caesar, sees him beg for water, and witnesses his epileptic seizure.  From these weaknesses, Cassius finds himself to be just as worthy of the crown as  is Caesar. His reasons are emotionally tied to getting rid of Caesar,

Brutus chooses to become a conspirator for the good of Rome.  He does not know how Caesar will use his power.   During the Act 1, Scene ii, Brutus tells the audience that he loves Caesar and has never seen him misuse his power.  Brutus makes his judgment to based on possibilities.  Caesar might…and not Caesar did…

Brutus or Cassius---Who was more noble?

Antony answers this question in Act V, Scene v. He tells the audience and Octavius that it was Brutus who killed Caesar for good of Rome.  All of the rest of them were a part of the conspiracy for personal reasons. 

ANTONY:

This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, save only he,

Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
And say to all the world, “This was a man!”

This was a great compliment from Antony.  He listens to Brutus’s funeral oration and understands that Brutus believes that killing Caesar is the best thing for Rome.

Compare and contrast Julius Caesar and Brutus in three paragraphs.

Please see the links below for more answers.

Compare Brutus and Cassius from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Two of the major characters---Cassius and Brutus--- in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare served as the leaders of the conspiracy to kill Caesar. These two powerful men became comrades in the struggle to survive after they led the assassination to its fruition.  Their diversity spanned the reasons for the assassination to their quarrel over money and power when they meet to combine their armies to fight the triumvirate’s forces.

Cassius was the instigator of the plot.  Serving as an experienced general, Cassius fought with Caesar in the battle against Pompey’s sons.  In addition, he was a powerful senator.  On a personal level, Cassius let his emotions rule his logic in several situations.  Cassius believes that he can manipulate any situation. 

Resentful and jealous of Caesar---Cassius determined to rid Rome and the world of Caesar.  He felt that Caesar’s weakness, sickness, and lust for power necessitate the assassination.  Caesar has been behaving like a god:

Why man he doth bestride the narrow world

Like a Colossus, and we petty men

Walk under his huge legs and peep about…

Cassius knew that Brutus was needed in the conspiracy because of his popularity with the people and the other senators.  Believing that he can manipulate Brutus, Cassius explains his hatred of Caesar and flatters Brutus.  He uses the tactic of falsifying letters to make Brutus believe that the people of Rome want him to do something about Caesar’s lust for power. 

On the other hand, Brutus followed the philosophy of stoicism.  He believed that logic and reasoning must rule over emotions. After Cassius presented his case for the assassination of Caesar, Brutus spent the next month arguing within himself about whether to join the conspiracy.  As a personal friend of Caesar, Brutus had to decide if Caesar was a threat to Rome and its citizens.  More than anything, Brutus served the people of Rome and loved the Republic.

Finally, Brutus made the decision to become a part of the assassination.  His reasons were not personal as were Cassius', but rather for the good of Rome. He then began to assert his authority overruling Cassius in several decisions.  Surprisingly, Cassius did not resent Brutus for usurping his authority.

Brutus established several rules that lead to the downfall of the assassins.

• Believes that  Marc Antony shoudl live
• Allows Antony speak at the funeral
• Trusts Antony to follow the rules
• Leaves after the Capital after he finishes his own speech

Even when Brutus learns of his beloved wife Portia’s death, he shows little emotion to indicate his devastation.

In Julius Caesar, how can the characters of Brutus and Cassius be compared and contrasted?

It sounds as if you have started your own research into the similarities and differences between these characters. Have considered these?

Similarities:

• Brutus and Cassius both have taken note of Caesar's growing power and don't like what they see.
• Both command armies after Caesar's assassination.
• Both are capable of deception, political intrigue, and murder.
• Both choose suicide over capture.

Differences:

• Brutus acts out of a sense of responsibility for Rome; Cassius seeks power and position for himself.
• Brutus is trusting; Cassius is manipulative.
• Brutus is naive; Cassius is cynical.
• Brutus is an idealist; Cassius is a pragmatist.
• Brutus does not abuse power; Cassius does.

There are some other differences that are developed in the relationships these two have with others. Brutus, for example, has a wife whom he loves and tries to shield. Portia's death is devastating for him. Cassius, however, seems to love no one. His sole focus remains upon himself, the wrongs he has endured at Caesar's hands and the prominence he feels he is due.

Contrast Cassius and Brutus

Cassius and Brutus are two different type men. Cassius is very critical of Caesar. He ridicules him. He makes light of his epilepsy. Cassius seems more concerned about his own welfare. He is worried about his future. He sees Caesar as a man who can keep him from having any say so whatsoever. Even Caesar is concerned with Cassius' hungry look. In Act One, Scene Two, Caesar confides in Antony, stating that Cassius has a lean, hungry look about him:

Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights:
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;(200)
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.

Caesar is so right. He can read Cassius. Caesar realizes that Cassius is dangerous, claiming that he thinks too much. Indeed, Cassius is the conspirator who persuades Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius uses deceit and false petitions to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. Cassius is not a just and honorable man as Brutus is.

Truly, Brutus is an honorable man. Everything he does is for the good of Rome. He acts out of concern for Rome and its citizens. Brutus is concerned that Caesar has become overly ambitious. For this reason, Brutus joins the conspiracy against Caesar. In Act Three, Scene Two, Brutus admits that he loves Caesar but that he loves Rome more:

If there is anyone in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to
him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his love. If
then that friend demands why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is
my answer,—Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome
more.

Brutus is an honorable man. He risked his life for the good of Rome. He fell upon his own sword in death, dying an honorable man. Even Antony declares that Brutus is the most honorable of all the conspirators:

This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, except him,
Did that they did out of jealousy of great Caesar;
Only he, in a general-honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, "This was a man!"

No doubt, there is a major difference between Cassius and Brutus. Cassius was selfish. He was concerned about his own well being. Brutus was concerned for the citizens of Rome, even though they turned against him in the end.

Compare and contrast the tragic hero qualities of Brutus and Caesar.

During Julius Caesar’s funeral, Antony repeats, “Brutus is an honorable man.” Though Antony’s intents are ironic, Brutus is, in fact, an honorable fellow. He loves his wife and the Roman Republic, but his strong principles cause him to assassinate one of his closest friends for fear that he will take the throne: “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome.” His ideals are more powerful than friendship.

They also make him ignorant to the manipulations and ill-intentions of Cassius and other senators. Brutus deludes himself into thinking that murder can be done “nicely”: “Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers.” Thus, he is not clear-sighted when it comes to a political assassination. Against the advice of Cassius, he lets Antony live and even speak at Caesar’s funeral, resulting in war and the deaths of the conspirators. Brutus’s downfall and primary characteristic seems to be his sense of honor.

Caesar, on the other hand, is more concerned with strength. He is strong-willed and decisive but subject to overconfidence and hubris. Like Brutus, Caesar also underestimates his ability to be manipulated. Decius says that he can sway Caesar by appealing to his pride: “when I tell him [Caesar] he hates flatterers, / He says he does, being then most flattered.” This independence and desire for power bring about his downfall. The crown entices him, and he describes himself as being superior to other men:

… men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he…

This attitude elicits jealousy and fear in his fellow senators. It also draws him to the Capitol on the day of his assassination, in spite of multiple warnings. Caesar tells his wife, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once.” Decius praises and prods Caesar, saying, “If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper / 'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?” These compliments and subtle taunts succeed, and Caesar dies that day. Therefore, while Brutus’s weakness seems to be honor, Caesar’s is the need to prove his strength.