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Examples Of Jealousy In The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

Decent Essays

Merriam-Webster defines jealousy as “hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.” Cassius is a main character in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. His tragic flaw is jealousy. His jealousy caused him to rope Brutus into a plot to assassinate Caesar, the “ruler of Rome.” Brutus and Cassius rope others into their plot, ultimately creating their group of conspirators. The Conspirators eventually kill Caesar in Act III and set Rome into turmoil. Marc Antony, Caesar’s second in command, and Octavius, Caesar’s son, go to war with Cassius and Brutus. The war comes to an end with Brutus and Cassius killing themselves. In William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Cassius’s tragic flaw of jealousy leads to his downfall …show more content…

He also believes this will bring him power. His downfall is shown in this quote because it shows what he’s going to do to no longer feel this way. It is also shown because the plot is based on his jealousy of Caesar.
Cassius’s jealousy caused all the events in the play to be set in motion, and thus led to his downfall. A prominent example of this would be when Brutus and Cassius are speaking and Cassius is trying to convince Brutus to join his plot by telling a story of how Caesar had to ask for Cassius’s help because he was too weak and tired to continue swimming. This leads Cassius to say, “Did I the tired Caesar. And this a man / Is now become a god, and Cassius / A wretched creature and must bend his body / If Caesar carelessly but nod on him” (I.ii.115-118). This quote in modern times would say, “Caesar was tired. And this man is supposed to be a god, and I am a wretched creature who has to kneel to Caesar.” Cassius is implying that Caesar is supposed to be this strong god and Cassius a wretched creature, yet Cassius had to save Caesar from drowning. This quote leads to Cassius’s downfall because it shows his jealousy through what he is feeling towards Caesar. His downfall is also shown because this scene is Cassius trying to convince Brutus to join his plot. Another quote that proves Cassius’s tragic flaw occurs after Brutus has died. Messala is asking

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