Question

PassageResearch

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 dishonourable graves.

Men at sometime were masters of their fates.

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

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.



–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,
William Shakespeare

Why does Cassius refer to a Colossus in this passage?

to show that the Roman republic is huge
to show Cassius is stronger than Caesar
to show the Romans need a strong leader
to show Caesar puts himself above Rome

Answer 1

to show Caesar puts himself above Rome

Explanation: Cassius compares Caesar to a Colossus to emphasize Caesar’s towering, domineering position over ordinary Romans—Caesar bestrides the world and makes others feel small and powerless.