“Who is so firm that he cannot be seduced?” (1.2.312). Cassius' muttered soliloquy in William Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar immediately calls attention to his goal of manipulating people. A man skilled in rhetoric, he uses his knowledge to persuade and convince other men. Nowhere in this play is his skill more evident than when he lures Brutus to join his plot to assassinate Caesar. While presenting himself as a concerned friend, Cassius secretly manipulates Brutus using solid knowledge of his desires and fears. Along with the juxtaposition of Brutus and Caesar and the compelling choice of words, Cassius manages to convince Brutus to join his plan to kill Caesar. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Cassius first establishes himself as a reliable and trustworthy ally of Brutus. After telling Brutus that he will be his mirror, Cassius asks Brutus to "consider him dangerous" if he were only a "common laugh" or if he "flattered men" and later "scandals" (1.2.72, 75-78) . This statement is an open invitation for Brutus to challenge Cassius' moral character. As John Dove observes, “Clearly no man makes such a challenge unless he is sure that it cannot be met” (Dove). Brutus first judges whether Cassius performed any of the described actions, since this syllogism requires that men who perform such actions be considered dangerous. Cassius knows that Brutus will not think him a traitor once he establishes that the minor premise is false: that Cassius did none of these actions. Brutus, who must judge Cassius' morality, in fact gives a lot of weight to these sentences. Over the next 80 lines, as Cassius criticizes Caesar, Brutus barely utters a word. When he finally speaks, he replies, “That you love me, I am not at all jealous” (1.2.162). His words make no reference to anything Cassius had said immediately before Brutus' entry. They are actually referring to Cassius' original declaration of sincerity towards her near the beginning of their conversation. Brutus clearly spent a lot of time thinking about Cassius' statements. Indeed, as Colomba states, "it is as if he had not listened to Cassius's criticisms of Caesar, as if he had spent much of the time reflecting on Cassius's bold statement that his friendship, once given, is incorruptible " (Dove). Cassius pushed Brutus to determine Cassius' loyalty, and Brutus consciously realizes that he can count on him. Having approached him carefully, Cassius is now armed with Brutus' trust. However, Cassius still plans to present himself as a caring and humble friend. When he first approaches Brutus after Caesar has left, he comments that he is worried about his companion; Brutus brings “a hand too obstinate and too strange” to Cassius, a “friend who loves him” (2.1.35-36). By presenting himself as a close friend concerned about Brutus' behavior, Cassius makes Brutus feel guilty for not trusting and confiding in him fully. Along with his introduction, Cassius's informal tone and amiable approach lower Brutus' defenses, so Cassius proceeds with the seduction. He goes on to say that he will tell Brutus how others perceive him: Cassius will be his "glass" who will "modestly discover to Brutus / What of him he yet knows not" (1.2.68-70). Cassius seems sincere in helping Brutus, but he also flatters him by revealing the high regard the other citizens have for him. Furthermore, Cassius' logic - a glass will reflect Brutus' self - appeals to the rational-minded Brutus. Always attentive to anythingopportunity to gain Brutus's favor, even after achieving his goal - Brutus promises to consider his ideas - Cassius notes that he is glad that his "weak words / have struck but so much display of fire from Brutus ". Using euphemism, Cassius dismisses Brutus thinking he is a refined orator who fires Brutus into action. Instead, he is simply a humble man expressing his opinion. Brutus, feeling comfortable making a decision based on his own ideas, is much more likely to side with Cassius. Having completed the acquisition of credibility with Brutus as an unassuming friend, Cassius is ready to challenge Caesar's leadership. Cassius begins by taking advantage of Brutus' belief in Stoicism. He points out to Brutus that he has heard that "many of Rome's respected best" are "groaning under the yoke of this age." By revealing to Brutus that some Romans found Caesar's rule oppressive and burdensome, Cassius forces him to reconsider his position as Caesar's loyal supporter. If the people suffer, it is Brutus' duty to help Rome get rid of the oppressor, as he must put the will of the people first. Then Cassius, anticipating Brutus' belief that Caesar's rule might be part of the natural order of the world, assures him that this is not the case: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, if we are subordinate.” Brutus' philosophy subjects him to the inherent order of the earth, so he might have felt obligated to submit to Caesar. By reassuring Brutus that Caesar has become a tyrant not because of fate, but only because of Brutus's inaction, Cassius releases Brutus from accepting Caesar's rule without question. Cassius reconciles Brutus' stoicism and Caesar's assassination, allowing Brutus to join his conspiracy without ignoring his philosophical principles. Cassius then goes on to juxtapose himself, Brutus, and Caesar to illustrate the excessive disparity that exists between them. As Cassius prepares to recount Caesar's physical weaknesses, he reflects that he is "born as free as Caesar," as Brutus was; “Both have fed well,” he declares, and both can “endure the cold of winter as well as he” (1.2.97-99). By drawing parallels between Brutus, Caesar, and himself, Cassius reveals how similar the three really are. Brutus, observing that Caesar actually possesses no more physical prowess than he or Cassius, can conclude that Caesar has no more right to rule than he does. Furthermore, Cassius phrases this sentence in a way that contrasts himself and Brutus with Caesar. Finding such common ground between them makes Brutus feel like a partner to Cassius. Cassius continues and, after recalling Caesar's physical frailty, rhetorically questions Brutus before juxtaposing the names of Brutus and Caesar. "Why should Caesar's name be more pronounced than yours?" questions Brutus: his "is as fair a name," as a "heavy" name, and "will begin a spirit as soon as" as Caesar's name will (1.2.143-47). The parallel structure of this juxtaposition emphasizes every point of equality between the names of Brutus and Caesar. Just as every part of their names is the same, so should every aspect of their political power. Cassius' rhetorical question also plays on Brutus' pride, prompting him to consider why he, with all his successes, is judged inferior to Caesar. After proving that Caesar is no more powerful than Brutus, Cassius is ready to appeal to Brutus' emotions. Cassius goes on to emotionally invoke Brutus's ancestor, who “would have tolerated / The eternal devil to maintain his state in Rome / With the greatest ease a king” (1.2.159-61). He appeals to Brutus' feelings, knowing that by remembering his ancestors who drove out the last tyrant of Rome, Brutus will feel guilty,, 2000. 776-877.