Another incident where Brutus misjudges Antony is when he allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus trusts that Antony will not say anything bad about the conspirators or him: “What Antony shall speak I will protest. He speaks by leave and by permission.... It shall advantage us more than do us wrong” (3.1.240–245). Brutus actually thinks that by letting Antony speak, the conspirators and he will have a better situation for themselves because it will make their plot seem honorable. Cassius, on the other hand, is a very clever person and he sees how dangerous Antony can be. When Brutus suggests that they shouldn’t kill Antony, Cassius says if Antony outlives Caesar, “We shall find of him a shrewd contriver.” (2.1.157) This statement shows how Cassius notices that Antony is clever and that he might not be trustworthy. When Brutus gives Antony the right to speak at Caesar’s funeral, Cassius pulls Brutus aside and says, “You know not what you do. Do not consent that Antony speak in Caesar’s funeral. Know you how much the people may be moved by that which Antony will utter” (3.1.235–238) This statement shows that Cassius sees that Antony is a powerful speaker and that if Antony speaks the people will side with him. This shows that Cassius has a much better idea of how dangerous Antony is.
Although Cassius is correct on how dangerous Antony really is, Brutus’ ideas are used because Brutus is the more dominant character. In the play Cassius is the more submissive character and Brutus is the more authoritative. This is exemplified when Brutus and Cassius are arguing about allowing Cicero joining the conspiracy. Cassius thinks that Cicero is a good, strong and honorable man that should be included, but as soon as he nominates Cicero to join the group, Brutus steps in and says, “O, name him not! Let us not break with him, for he will never follow anything that other men begin.” (2.1.150–152). Instead of contesting with Brutus, Cassius just lets it pass and agrees to not letting Cicero to join the group. This argument shows how Brutus dominates what decisions are made.
Brutus again shows his dominance over Cassius when the two are discussing military strategies. Cassius wants to stay where they are and let Octavius and Antony waste their energy trying to find Brutus and him. “ ‘Ti s better that the enemy seek us; so shall he waste his means, and weary his soldiers…” (4.3.197–200). This is a good idea, but Brutus shows his superiority over Cassius by replying, “Good reasons must by force give place by better…” (4.3.201). Brutus then states his reason: if they get to Philipi first, they will have the better position. Cassius, who has a good argument, does not even try to contest Brutus. He backs down and says, “Then with your will, go on” (4.3.223). This decision leads to their armies losing and to the end of both their lives.
Brutus and Cassius are contrasting characters. They contrast in the way they perceive Anthony. Also, in the play, Brutus did everything for the good of Rome because he actually cared about it but Cassius was being very selfish and did it just because he was jealous about it. This can be exemplified when Brutus and Cassius are discussing the reasons why they should kill Caesar. The two characters decisions lead them to die in the end but altogether they played an important part in Shakespeare’s tragedy of Julius Caesar.
