Jealousy in Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

Jealousy in Julius Caesar           Jealousy causes many of the characters in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar to commit wild and foolish acts.  Cassius jealousy drives him to kill Caesar.  all in all the conspirators, except the noble Brutus, kill Caesar because they feel threatened by his power.  Brutus is the hardly conspirator who murders Caesar for more honorable sympathys.  Jealousy is a very serious theme in this play.           Cassius feels very threatened by Caesars power.  He remembers when he was an equal to Caesar, and doesnt think that Caesar deserves this much power. He comments to Brutus, I was born secrete as Caesar so were you / We both have fed as well, and we brush off both / Endure the winters cold as well as he (Act I, sc. II, 97-99).  Cassius is also enraged because Caesar doesnt like him. Caesar suggests, Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry notion / He think s too much such men are dangerous (Act I, sc. II, 194-195).  Cassius thinks that Caesars temper is dangerous.  He declares, Ye gods It doth amaze me, / A man of such a feeble temper should / So get the start of the majestic world, / And wear down the palm alone (Act I, sc. II, 128-131).           Casca also is jealous of Caesar.  He is disgusted by Caesars manipulation of the commoners.  He describes it as mere foolery (Act I, sc. II, 235).  Casca  agrees with Cassius that Brutus is an essential crack up the conspiracy. He says, O, he sits high in all the peoples hearts / And that which would out offense in us, / His countenance, like richest alchemy, / Will change to virtue and to excellence (Act I, sc. III, 157-160).           Brutus is the only conspirator who does not act out of jealousy and envy.  He is Caesars friend, and holds a powerful position in Rome.  Therefore, he has no reason to feel jealous of Caesar.  Brutus makes his decision based on what is the best for Rome, and is tricked into believe that the new(prenominal) conspirators feel the same way.  He comments, What need we any sticker but our own cause / To prick us to redress? What other bond / Than the secret Romans that