No matter how much you try to avoid being manipulated, it is impossible to avoid all sources such as documents, leaders and friends. Manipulation, the ability to alter a person's position or influence, happens everywhere you go. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Plutarch's Life of Caesar, the theme of manipulation has been revealed through countless examples showing both its sources and effects. Many of the characters in both tales, such as Brutus, Caesar, and the people of Rome, were manipulated, at one time or another, by sources such as their close friends who simply wanted their ideas and plans to move forward. Cassius, an envious and ambitious man, did not approve of what Caesar did as ruler and believed he had too much power over the Senate and the people. To put an end to what he considered a conspiracy, he devised a plan to eradicate Caesar. He attempted to persuade Brutus, one of Caesar's good friends, to join their plot, but Brutus refused. Cassius, speaking of the decision made by Brutus not to join them, said to the other conspirators in the senate: "who in fact is so firm that he cannot be seduced?" He wanted to manipulate Brutus into joining their cause, so he and the other conspirators threw the letters they had written, pretending to be citizens, into Brutus' window. (Shakespeare 12) When Brutus read these, he thought they were from citizens and was deceived into joining with Cassius and the conspiring senators. He did not know that the letters did not come from citizens, but were forgeries. He was only joining Cassius because he wanted to give the people what they wanted. This was a great example of manipulation through both friends and documents. Brutus' friends used letters or made... halves of paper... manipulated for the same cause. All people were united for one purpose, all thanks to Antonio's ability to manipulate with words. The theme of manipulation and its causes and effects was represented in both accounts of Caesar's life. Casca manipulated Brutus into joining their plot to kill Caesar and Antony manipulated the people from agreeing with Brutus to wanting to tear the conspirators apart. Decius, tricked Caesar into thinking he was right and manipulated Caesar into unknowingly going to the Senate to be executed. All of these examples had substantial effects that lasted until the final war between Brutus and Octavius. Not only was the ability to manipulate demonstrated, but also the power of the results. Manipulation has proven to be a powerful skill that, when used in certain hands, can produce drastic, life-changing effects.