Cassius Quotes Flashcards
1
Q
‘This man is now become a God and Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him’
Act 1, Scene 2
A
- Hatred for Caesar due to imperious motives.
- Caesar expects everyone to worship him.
- Metaphor of ‘God’ shows Caesar believes he has such an elevated status in society.
- Noun ‘God’ connotes authority and superiority.
- Metaphor of ‘creature’ shows how Cassius believes how low in society he is due to Caesar.
- Alliteration of ‘bend and body’ create plosive sounds showing his outward anger and fury.
2
Q
‘So often shall the knot of us to be call’d the men that gave their country liberty’ Act 3, Scene 1
A
- Idea of Duty - he is wanting to free from tyranny.
- Verb ‘gave’ connotes provide and offer. He is illustrating he is sacrificing his life for the better of Rome.
- Abstract noun ‘liberty’ connotes freedom and democracy. He is fighting for democracy alongside other conspirators.
- However, declarative presents a sense if ambition - he wants to be remembered for killing Caesar.
- Similar ideas with Brutus of ‘liberty’ and democracy but presents a stronger element of ambition.
- He wants to go down as a famous individual in Roman History that abolished tyranny.
3
Q
‘Thy honourable mettle is wrought’ Act 1, Scene 2 - Cassius’ soliloquy
A
- Manipulation.
- Declarative shows Cassius will use Brutus’ honourability against him.
- Noun ‘metal’ sounds like mettle, which refers to one’s strength. Brutus’ character can be worked upon to make him conspire against Caesar.
- Use of metaphor shows Cassius will exploit Brutus via manipulation.
- Past tense ‘wrought’ doing work shows he will change Brutus views.
- Creates dramatic irony.
4
Q
‘He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under’ Act 1 - Scene 2
A
- Theme of power.
- Simile of ‘like a colossus’ illustrates authority and supremacy.
- Attributive adjective ‘petty’ connotes trivial and insignificance. Imagery of inferiority.
- Juxtaposition of ‘colossus’ and ‘petty’ represent the divide in power.
- Use of attributive adjective ‘narrow’ reflect how insignificant the world is compared to Caesar’s power.
