The pseudonym "Philo Vaihinger" has been abandoned. All posts have been and are written by me, Joseph Auclair.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Reading Julius Caesar

Cassius was the leader who enlisted the conspirators.

He wanted Brutus in for the sake of his personal reputation and his illustrious ancestor.

He wanted Cicero in for his reputation, solid republicanism, and age.

And on the night before the Ides, when Brutus agrees to join, he wants to seal the deal among the conspirators with an oath.

They all agree, but then Brutus dismisses the idea with contempt.

Cassius urges an approach to Cicero and all agree.

But Brutus protests, "O, name him not! Let us not break with him; For he will never follow anything that other men begin."

Cassius suggests the conspirators kill Antony along with Caesar, but Brutus brushes him off.

Thus does he seize command of the conspiracy and begin the pattern of contemptuous rejection of Cassius' advice that will lead them all to ruin.

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