Julius Caesar : Cassius' Nobility

"Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous; / He is a noble Roman, and well given" (I.ii.196-197). Antony explains to Caesar that Cassius is not a person to be feared, but, a noble man who is trustworthy. Cassius might not be considered noble for some of his acts, but his motives behind them makes him a noble Roman, for he wants the best for the common public and doesn't want a tyrant ruling over Rome.

Cassius wants what's best for Rome, and isn't plotting a conspiracy against Caesar for a personal grudge.

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world

Like a Colossus, and we petty men

Walk under his huge legs and peep about

To find ourselves dishonorable graves (I.iii.135-138).

In the passage above, Cassius tells Brutus how the common public enables Caesar to be ruthless to them. He shows his concern for the Romans and questions why they allow Caesar to walk all over them. He seems to think that the Romans might have some contribution to Caesar's arrogance. Also when Casca tells Cassius that the senators want Caesar to become king, at this, Cassius threatens to kill himself with a dagger, "But life, being weary of these worldly bars, / Never lacks power to dismiss itself" (I.iii.96-97). This suggests how strongly Cassius feels against Caesar. By saying this he tries to prove to Casca how much self respect he has and would never be willing to bow before a man like Caesar, in fact he would much rather kill himself beforehand.

Caesar is well known to have a reputation of a tyrant and a weak leader. This is why Cassius believes he is not fit to rule Rome. Caesar has disabilities that make him physically weak as well. For example, Caesar (addressing to Antony) says, "Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, / And tell me truly what thou think'st of him" (I.ii.213-214).Besides, his inability to hear properly, he also has epilepsy which is revealed when he collapses in front of the crowd during a festival. Cassius also despises of Caesar because of his ruthless behavior towards the commoners, Cassius says, "Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf / But that he sees the Romans are but sheep" (I.iii.104-105). From this we can say that Caesar doesn't think too highly of the people of Rome and takes advantage of their servile attitude.

One might argue that some of Cassius' acts might