CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?

Question

Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep.

Why is this excerpt an example of verbal irony?

Cassius speaks of the Romans as sheep, but he believes they are strong independent thinkers.
Cassius portrays Caesar as a cruel-hearted tyrant, and at the same time says he pitties Caesar because Caesar can’t help himself.
Cassius believes himself to be innocent, and only the audience knows that he is like a scheming wolf.
Cassius wishes that he could be a cruel leader like Caesar.

Answer 1

The excerpt is an example of verbal irony primarily because Cassius portrays Caesar as a cruel-hearted tyrant, and at the same time says he pities Caesar because Caesar can’t help himself.

In this instance, Cassius is suggesting that Caesar, as a leader, behaves tyrannically not out of inherent cruelty, but rather due to the weakness he perceives in the Roman people—likening them to sheep that are easily controlled. The irony lies in the contrast between the pity he expresses for Caesar and the actual behavior he attributes to him. While he criticizes Caesar's tyranny, he simultaneously acknowledges that it stems from the vulnerability of the Romans, which adds a layer of complexity to his sentiments. Thus, the statement contradicts itself in a way that highlights the deeper meaning of his critique.