What is Cinna's connection to Brutus in the play? I understand his role in the story, I just don't get how he connects to Brutus. Thank you for explaining this.
In the play "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Cinna is a minor character who is connected to Brutus in a significant way. To understand their connection, we need to look closely at Act III, Scene 1, where the pivotal event of the play takes place - the assassination of Julius Caesar.
In this scene, Cinna the Poet is mistakenly identified as Cinna the Conspirator by an angry mob. The mob is seeking revenge for Caesar's death and intends to kill any conspirator they come across. While Cinna the Poet expresses his innocence and explains that he is not the same person, the mob proceeds to attack and murder him, showing the chaos and frenzied nature of the aftermath of Caesar's assassination.
Now, how does Cinna's connection to Brutus come into play? The connection lies in the fact that Cinna the Poet is known to be a supporter of Brutus, and Brutus himself acknowledges this earlier in the play. In Act II, Scene 1, Brutus says, "Let no man abide this deed but we the doers" (referring to the assassination) and adds, "Cinna, where haste you so?" This dialogue indicates that Cinna the Poet is part of Brutus' circle and supports his cause.
Therefore, Cinna's connection to Brutus is one of association and allegiance. Cinna the Poet's fate reflects the dangerous and uncertain environment in which Brutus and his co-conspirators find themselves after the assassination. The wrong identification and subsequent brutal murder of Cinna symbolize the escalating violence and confusion that follow Caesar's death and mark a turning point in the play.
To fully understand the connection between Cinna and Brutus, it is important to read or watch the scenes where they interact and study the characters' relationships and motivations. This will provide a deeper understanding of their connection and how it contributes to the overall plot of "Julius Caesar."