Torch: U.S. LXXII Spring 2023 | Page 23

THIS OR THAT: IDES OF MARCH · Spring 2023 · Torch: U.S.

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Cassius

"...The man who did the real heavy lifting in that conspiracy, and I say this only because I loved his characterization in the Shakespeare play I read in middle school, is Cassius: expert manipulator, zealot, and the creator of absolutely raw lines like 'the fault...is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings.'

Since he is a zealot after all and was willing to, well, assassinate someone, I'm sure he would have been kind of a nightmare to live under. However, for the sake of chaos, I'll choose to support Option C (no, not Caesar, the other C)."

Trisha Iyer, The Harker School, CA

Brutus

"..He was trying to save Rome from falling into decline and further peril— prepared to lay down his life for his country...This was Caesar’s friend and ally who had convinced him that the only way for his country to survive was through the assassination of his peer. His only purpose in contributing to Caesar’s conspiracy was to ensure that Rome would outlast the ruler...In the end, he carried out the will of the people."

Will O'Donnell, Easton High School, MD

"Even Marc Antony admits that 'Brutus is an honorable man.'"

Nolan Jansorn, Lightridge High School, VA

"I believe that Brutus' goal (although carried out by murder which is questionable...) was for the good of Rome."

Blair Wehman, Bryn Mawr School, MD

"The month of July sucks."

Sophia Kantsevoy, Bryn Mawr School, MD

"I like Caesar salad."

Rylie Nolte, Lightridge High School, VA

"Caesar was more successful overall than Brutus. He only lost two of his many battles, was very popular among the people (other than the senators) and is much more well known today. Brutus basically killed a guy (not even by himself) and then died after the Battle of Philippi a year later. Today, the only thing he’s known for is being misquoted by Shakespeare.

"I’ve never seen a food named after Brutus."

"Who couldn’t love a man who uttered such an iconic phrase: 'et tu, Brute?'"

Mackenzie Sanford, The Flint Hill School, VA

Joaquin Matter, Lightridge High School, VA

Gabrielle Walker, The Seven Hills School, OH

Joe Giambrone, Northside College Preparatory School, IL

"Brutus brought the republic out of the frying pan and into the fire by indirectly causing the empire to happen."

Caesar

"Caesar aimed for absolute power and control over Rome, and Brutus put a stop to it."

Baala Shakya, Health Careers High School, TX