Julius Caesar · Character

Caius Cassius

A lean, watchful senator who reads men the way other Romans read omens, and who decides Caesar must die long before he finds a name noble enough to lead the deed.

major

Also known as Cassius, noble Cassius, good Cassius, brave Cassius, Cassius Bear

First appearance: act i

As a major figure in Julius Caesar, Caius Cassius is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Cassius manipulates Brutus by recounting Caesar's frailties and planning to send forged letters to stoke Brutus's opposition.

In the storyScene IIOpen this moment free

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Cassius is the conspiracy's engine, a man Caesar himself distrusts for thinking too much and smiling too little, who works on Brutus by holding up a mirror and showing him the worth Rome is groaning for. He hates the idea of any single man towering above the rest, and he recruits through flattery, insinuation, and forged letters rather than open argument. His misgiving about letting Antony speak at the funeral falls shrewdly to the purpose, and Brutus overrules him—the first of many times Cassius will be right and ignored.

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See Caius Cassius in act i

Character Web

29 connections

A slice of how Caius Cassius sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Conspirators and Key Figures
Supporting Characters and Omens
Brutus's Loyal Soldiers
Protagonist

+24 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Brutus’s rheto…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Marcus Brutus
friendship · ambivalent
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their… How this plays out →
Julius Caesar
rivalry · negative
Lucius
professional · positive
Cinna the Poet
social · ambivalent
Cicero
social · ambivalent
Marcus Brutus
friendship · ambivalent
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their… How this plays out →
Julius Caesar
rivalry · negative
Marcus Brutus
friendship · ambivalent
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their… How this plays out →
Julius Caesar
rivalry · negative
Cinna the Poet
social · ambivalent
Lucius
professional · positive
Cicero
social · ambivalent

Marcus Brutus
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their friendship for political ends.
Julius Caesar
Cassius harbors deep envy and resentment toward Caesar, viewing him as a tyrant to be overthrown.
Lucius
Lucius serves as a loyal servant to Cassius, carrying messages and attending to his needs.
Cinna the Poet
Cassius interacts with Cinna the Poet as a fellow conspirator and acquaintance in the political scene.
Cicero
Cassius and Cicero are political acquaintances, though Cassius does not fully trust Cicero with the conspiracy.
Marcus Brutus
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their friendship for political ends.
Julius Caesar
Cassius harbors deep envy and resentment toward Caesar, viewing him as a tyrant to be overthrown.
Marcus Brutus
Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, exploiting their friendship for political ends.
Julius Caesar
Cassius harbors deep envy and resentment toward Caesar, viewing him as a tyrant to be overthrown.
Cinna the Poet
Cassius interacts with Cinna the Poet as a fellow conspirator and acquaintance in the political scene.
Lucius
Lucius serves as a loyal servant to Cassius, carrying messages and attending to his needs.
Cicero
Cassius and Cicero are political acquaintances, though Cassius does not fully trust Cicero with the conspiracy.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Caius Cassius in act i

In the story

Caius Cassius appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene II
Cassius manipulates Brutus by recounting Caesar's frailties and planning to send forged letters to stoke Brutus's opposition.
Scene III
Recruits Casca to the conspiracy, reveals he has already approached other nobles, and plans to win Brutus over.
Scene I: Brutus's Orchard
The driving force behind the conspiracy, Cassius gathers the conspirators at Brutus's house and expresses concern about Mark Antony's loyalty to Caesar.
Scene II
Present among the conspirators escorting Caesar.
Scene III
Named in the warning as one of the conspirators to beware of.
Scene I
Key conspirator; expresses distrust of Antony.
Scene II
Arrives with his army and accuses Brutus of wrongdoing, but agrees to a private conference.
Scene I
Shares omens of eagles and ravens, bids farewell to Brutus, and expresses resolve.
Scene III
Mistakenly believes Titinius is captured and orders Pindarus to kill him, dying by the same sword that killed Caesar.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Caius Cassius unlock in the free preview.

See Caius Cassius in act i

See Caius Cassius in Scene II