Examples Of Jealousy In Julius Caesar

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The Illness of Jealousy Jealousy is the destructive motivation that pushes one to commit villainous acts. It is a lethal disease that crushes a person’s character. Jealousy acts as a wicked existence in one’s life. Actions taken on behalf of this illness of envy are destructively resentful. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Julius Caesar, he presents jealousy as a prominent feature in the character Cassius. Cassius was an evil conspirator against Julius Caesar who was recognized as King of the Romans. A group of vicious conspirators, all who were influenced by the spiteful Cassius, betray and slay Caesar. Although some may believe Cassius conspired against Caesar for the good of Rome, they are in fact wrong because Cassius assembled the assassination out of his own jealousy and hunger for power, without taking in the …show more content…
In Cassius’ eyes, he held himself equal or more so better than Caesar: he believed anything Caesar can do, he could do better. He voices his jealousy by doubting Caesar’s position as king when he assures he can endure the cold as well as Caesar. Cassius is envious of Caesar’s power and yearns for it which he believes he will receive if he is able to kill Caesar with the help of Brutus. Cassius kept reminding Brutus that Caesar is weak and attempted to show him Caesar is not superior to either of them. “He had a fever when he was in Spain, and when the fit was on him, I did mar ‘Tis true, this god did shake; His coward lips did their color fly…” (I. II. 125-130). By bashing on his vulnerabilities, Cassius makes Caesar sound weak. He was implying to Brutus he is a better fit as king because he is healthy, unlike Caesar. Out of resentment, Cassius offends Caesar by using his health as an objective to show Caesar does not deserve royalty. Through Cassius’ resentful words, he portrays his jealousy by believing Caesar should not be entitled to the