In Act 1, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Cassius delivers a persuasive monologue to Brutus, aiming to incite doubt about Caesar's rising power and to question why Caesar's name should be more celebrated than their own.

Title of Monologue:

Cassius's Monologue from Act 1, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar

Synopsis:

Cassius expresses his disdain for Caesar's dominance, comparing him to a towering Colossus overshadowing the world. He argues that their subservience is due to their own inaction, not fate, and questions why Caesar's name holds more weight than theirs. Cassius emphasizes that they are equally capable and deserving of power, urging Brutus to recognize their potential to challenge Caesar's authority.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Prior to this monologue, Caesar has returned to Rome amidst public celebration. A soothsayer warns him to "Beware the Ides of March," which Caesar dismisses. Left alone, Cassius seizes the opportunity to sway Brutus, who is troubled by Caesar's growing influence, by questioning Caesar's supremacy and suggesting that they have the power to change their fates.

Original Text:

CASSIUS

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.

Men at some time are masters of their fates:

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

“Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”?

Why should that name be sounded more than yours?

Write them together, yours is as fair a name;

Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;

Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,

“Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.”

Now, in the names of all the gods at once,

Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed

That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!

Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!

When went there by an age, since the great flood,

But it was famed with more than with one man?

When could they say till now, that talk'd of Rome,

That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?

Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,

When there is in it but one only man.

O, you and I have heard our fathers say,

There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd

The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome

As easily as a king.

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

CASSIUS

Why, man, he straddles the narrow world

Like a giant, and we insignificant men

Creep under his massive legs and search around

To find dishonorable graves for ourselves.

At times, men are in control of their destinies:

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are subordinates.

"Brutus" and "Caesar": what is in that "Caesar"?

Why should that name be proclaimed more than yours?

Write them together, yours is just as fair a name;

Say them aloud, it sounds just as good;

Weigh them, it is just as heavy; invoke them,

"Brutus" will summon a spirit as soon as "Caesar."

Now, in the names of all the gods at once,

What does this Caesar eat

That he has grown so great? Age, you are disgraced!

Rome, you have lost the breed of noble bloods!

When has there ever been an era, since the great flood,

That was celebrated with only one man?

When could they say until now, that spoke of Rome,

That her vast walls enclosed but one man?

Now it is truly Rome and spacious enough,

When there is in it but only one man.

Oh, you and I have heard our fathers say,

There was a Brutus once who would have tolerated

The eternal devil to rule in Rome

As easily as a king.*

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

• Bestride: To stand or tower over; to straddle.

• Colossus: A gigantic statue; here, referring to the Colossus of Rhodes, symbolizing immense power.

• Petty: Small or insignificant.

• Underlings: Subordinates or inferiors.

• Conjure: To call upon or summon, often by magic.

• Brook'd: Tolerated or endured.

• Eternal devil: A reference to Satan; symbolizing ultimate evil.

• Stars: A reference to fate or destiny.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

1. Colossus Imagery: 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.
   Cassius compares Caesar to the Colossus of Rhodes, suggesting that Caesar dominates the world while others live insignificantly beneath him, leading unremarkable lives.

2. Masters of Fate: Men at some time are masters of their fates:
   The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
   But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
   He asserts that individuals control their destinies and that their subservience is due to their own inaction, not fate.

3. Equality of Names: “Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”?
   Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
   Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
   Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
   Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em,
   “Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.”
   Cassius questions why Caesar's name holds more weight than Brutus's, arguing that both names are equal in value and power.

4. Questioning Caesar's Greatness: Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
   Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
   That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
   Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
   He sarcastically questions what makes Caesar so great, lamenting that Rome has lost its noble lineage.

5. Historical Comparison: When went there by an age, since the great flood,
   But it was famed with more than with one man?
   When could they say till now, that talk'd of Rome,
   That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?
   Cassius reflects on history, noting that no era was defined by a single individual, emphasizing that Rome's greatness should not be attributed to Caesar alone.

6. Rome's Decline: Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,
   When there is in it but one only man.
   He laments that Rome has become a place where only Caesar's influence prevails, diminishing the contributions of others.

7. Ancestral Reference: O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
   There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd
   The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
   As easily as a king.
   Cassius reminds Brutus of his ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus, who opposed tyranny, suggesting that Brutus should emulate this resistance against Caesar's potential monarchy.

Journey Keypoints:

• Hook: Cassius compares Caesar to a dominating Colossus, highlighting the insignificance of others under his rule.

• Turning Point: He asserts that their subservience is due to their own inaction, not fate, and questions the superiority of Caesar's name over Brutus's.

• Climax: Cassius challenges the notion of Caesar's greatness, lamenting Rome's loss of noble lineage and the unprecedented dominance of a single man.

• Resolution: He invokes Brutus's ancestral legacy of opposing tyranny, urging him to consider action against Caesar's rising power.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role:

• John Gielgud: Portrayed Cassius in the 1953 film adaptation of Julius Caesar, delivering a performance noted for its intensity and depth.

• David Warner: Assumed the role in the 1970 film version, offering a compelling interpretation of Cassius's manipulative nature.

• James Mason: Played Brutus in the 1953 film adaptation, providing a nuanced portrayal of the character's internal conflict.

This monologue delves into themes of ambition, fate, and personal agency, providing rich material for performance and analysis.