Jealousy in Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

Jealousy in Julius Caesar           Jealousy causes many of the characters in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar to post dangerous and foolish acts.  Cassius suspiciousy drives him to kill Caesar.  All the schemers, except the magisterial Brutus, kill Caesar because they relish threatened by his power.  Brutus is the only conspirator who murders Caesar for more than honorable reasons.  Jealousy is a very important theme in this play.           Cassius feels very threatened by Caesars power.  He remembers when he was an equal to Caesar, and doesnt cerebrate that Caesar deserves this much power. He comments to Brutus, I was born free as Caesar so were you / We both have fed as well, and we can both / lose the winters cold as well as he (Act I, sc. II, 97-99).  Cassius is also furious because Caesar doesnt like him. Caesar suggests, Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look / He thinks likewise much such men are dangerous (Act I, sc. II, 194-195).  Cassius thinks that Caesars discomfort 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 bear the palm merely (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 part the conspiracy. He says, O, he sits high in all the peoples hearts / And that which would appear offense in us, / His countenance, like richest alchemy, / Will change to virtue and to worthiness (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 ruling position in Rome.  Therefore, h e has no reason to feel jealous of Caesar.  Brutus makes his decision based on what is the best for Rome, and is tricked into believing that the other conspirators feel the same way.  He comments, What need we any spur but our feature cause / To prick us to redress? What other bond / Than the out of sight Romans that