under Caesar Brutus thinks of Rome s safety while Cassius thinks of his pride Brutus acts for principle Cassius for self-interest Brutus kills Caesar for the country Cassius kills him for envy Idealist vs Realist Brutus is a philosopher He dreams of a perfect republic He reads thinks and follows moral ideas He says that ambition is like a ladder When he once attains the upmost round he then unto the ladder turns his back He fears Caesar will rise and forget his people Cassius is more practical He knows men s weaknesses He uses lies and flattery to gain power Brutus lives in theory Cassius in fact Brutus is honest but blind to the realities of life Cassius understands men but lacks high morals Brutus is noble Cassius is clever Contrast in Personality Brutus is calm gentle and noble Cassius is hot-tempered and harsh Caesar says Such men as he be never at heart s ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves This shows Cassius s envy and restless ambition Brutus however is steady and patient He studies and loves peace Cassius hates music and beauty Brutus enjoys both Cassius is angry and suspicious Brutus is trusting and kind Cassius manipulates Brutus because he knows Brutus s honest nature Brutus s calmness and Cassius s fire make them opposites yet partners Difference in Judgement Brutus misjudges people and situations He trusts Antony and lets him speak at Caesar s funeral This was his greatest mistake Antony uses words to destroy the conspirators saying Friends Romans countrymen lend me your ears Cassius is more cautious He wanted to kill Antony too but Brutus stopped him Brutus believes all men are good but Cassius knows they are not Brutus s moral blindness brings disaster Cassius sees the danger clearly but is forced to follow Brutus s wrong decision End and Legacy In the end both meet death at Philippi Cassius kills himself out of despair Brutus dies for honor and peace Antony praises Brutus saying This was the noblest Roman of them all Cassius dies as a tired soldier Brutus dies as a true Roman hero Brutus remains in history as a symbol of honor despite his life's failures Cassius is remembered for his sharp mind and human flaws One stands for principle the other for policy Their contrast gives balance and meaning to the tragedy In summary Brutus and Cassius are two great but different men Brutus is ruled by heart and conscience Cassius by brain and ambition Brutus is noble yet impractical Cassius is realistic but selfish Brutus s purity gives moral beauty to the play while Cassius s skill gives it movement and energy Together they show how idealism and realism can both fail when they clash within human ambition