Essay: Uncover the True Killers of Julius Caesar: Cassius and Brutus?

The greatest empire led by the greatest politician, ruler and military general, Julius Caesar led the Roman Empire to one of the greatest periods of its life span. A tragedy play by William Shakespeare. Unfortunately, he also let it to the greatest demise. Caesar has triumphed in a big war and was returning to Rome. With the win, Caesar has gained a lot of power. Cassius, Brutus, and others became worrisome that Caesar is beginning to be a godlike figure and could become an oppressive dictator. Cassius begins to secretly plot to kill Caesar and draws closer to see if Brutus feels the same as he is. He feels like Brutus needed some incentive to turn against Caesar. To do that, Cassius plants forged letters stating the public was afraid of Caesar’s powers. Having seen that, Brutus joins Cassius in murdering Caesar. After Caesar’s death, Brutus speaks to the crowd about the death of Caesar and calms them down. However, Marc Antony speaks to the crowds soon after Brutus and convinces them to riot against the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius flee Rome. Wars between Rome and Brutus and Cassius follow. The murder of Julius Caesar was a mysterious act organized by his distant friends.
Cassius was the biggest conspirator and he murdered Caesar. Cassius was a long time friend of Caesar. However, as Caesar gained more power over time and after winning battles, Caesar would come back to Rome and people would celebrate and treat him like a god. Cassius seeing that trend grows worried and began thinking about assassinating Caesar. He states “I was born free as Caesar.” Here Cassius puts himself on equal grounds as Caesar meaning Caesar is a human like everyone else and should not be above anyone. Cassius begin to plot against Caesar but also wanted to draw Brutus into the plot. Cassius might have wanted to murder Caesar but Brutus might not have totally agreed. To convince Brutus on killing Caesar Cassius plants forged letters from the public stating how worried they were also were about Caesar becoming a bad dictator. Cassius states “I know where I will wear this dagger then.” as he hears about the possible crowning of Caesar as king. Here he is pledging that the day Caesar is crowned will be the day he will carry his dagger and kill Caesar. Another statement Cassius makes “But I am armed, And dangers are to me indifferent.” This shows how persistent he is in planning to kill Caesar and how he is not afraid of the dangers or consequences. There is also evidence that Cassius was present at the time Caesar was stabbed and fell dead. At that moment Cassius states “Some to the common pulpits and cry out “Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement.” Much evidence is there to support the intention of Cassius to kill Caesar. However, did he actually kill him with his own hands.
Brutus is not the actual and main assassin of Caesar. The final plot to kill Caesar takes place at Brutus’s house after Cassius arrived. Brutus states “What you have said I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear, and find a time.” Here, Brutus speaks of his true intentions to kill Caesar. He says he is committed and is patient and will do it at the right time. Brutus also states “And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with.” This is another confession from Brutus that he does intend on stabbing Caesar. Brutus not also wanted to kill Caesar but he also wanted to kill Marc Antony. That is clearly shown when Brutus states “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs.” The head he is speaking of is Caesar and the limbs are Marc Antony. The last evidence that shows that Brutus is the killer of Caesar is when Caesar speaks his last words which were directed at Brutus “Et tu, Brutè?—Then fall, Caesar.” Was Brutus there alone when Caesar died? maybe not since Cassius was there too.
Caesar’s death was done by his closest friends, it was primarily Cassius and Brutus who killed him. Although we know Brutus was the last one to stab Caesar, Cassius was also there. Therefore, the blame could be equally placed on both of them for killing caesar. However, we may never know for sure.