Julius Caesar Act 1 English 10 Greater Atlanta

Julius Caesar: Act 1 English 10 Greater Atlanta Christian School

In the Beginning (Scene 1): o o o The setting is the streets of Rome in about October of 45 B. C. Caesar is returning from Spain where he has just defeated the last of the major armies that have stood against him. He is now the undisputed master of the Roman empire, and it seems that good times are ahead for the realm.

In the Beginning (Scene 1): o o o Not everyone is pleased with the way things are going. However, those who had been outspoken against Caesar were beaten into silence or eliminated all together. Still, some were concerned about the path of this all-powerful leader gaining even more strength. Something had to be done according to some.

What Did Caesar Really Want? o o o After seeing the Roman government go through a long period of decay and corruption, Caesar wanted a thorough reform of the system. This desire pleased the masses (mostly), but did not sit well with the senators and politicians. Those who are corrupt don’t want change!

An Odd Start… o o Knowing that the commons would be most likely to appreciate Caesar’s style, it’s odd that Shakespeare chooses two “tribunes” to open the play showing opposition to Caesar. Tribunes are supposed to protect the commons from the corruption and “dirt” of the higherup aristocrats. Instead of supporting the commons, they are riling them up against Caesar.

An Odd Start… o o The tribunes are Marullus and Flavius. Both are energetic characters, but Flavius has a tendency to speak his mind more openly. It is Flavius who encourages the commoners to go home or to work instead of waiting to praise Caesar following his return. Even the commoners don’t get their actions and say that they want to celebrate Caesar.

What’s the Big Deal? o o A cobbler has a very witty conversation with the tribunes and frustrates Flavius to no end. They want to celebrate “triumph” – a custom of welcoming home a victorious general. The government officials would lead the way followed by the general. Captives of war would bring up the rear.

What’s the Big Deal? o o o Commoners loved “triumphs” because they would be given a holiday from work. They would dress fine and line the streets to cheer the victor before heading to the center of town for a religious service (most of the time). Food and drink were at the government’s expense, so commoners loved the party.

What’s the Big Deal? o o For a general, this was the highest honor! Caesar was known for these “triumphs. ” He even set a record for holding four consecutive triumphs years earlier after nine years in battle and defeating four large armies that threatened Rome. It is no wonder the people wanted to be there if Caesar were hosting a “triumph. ”

Back to the text… o o o Marullus steps in here with a question to the masses. “Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? What tributaries follow him to Rome, to grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? ” This may seem confusing, but Marullus has a very good point here.

Back to the text… o o o Triumphs were supposed to demonstrate and celebrate Roman victories over non-Romans. This triumph was for a civil war dispute in a Roman controlled territory. Romans were beating Romans! This means that Romans WON but also LOST!

Back to the text… o o o Caesar knew this because he had been careful in previous civil battles not to celebrate with a triumph. Instead, the few foreigners who might have been involved against the Empire were brought home in a very toned-down display. This time Caesar wanted a triumph, even though the battle was a civil one.

Driving the Point Home o o o Marullus knew he had a point and went on to explain it by bringing up the historical figure of Pompey. When this name was dropped into the conversation, the Roman people knew exactly what was being talked about. So…who was this guy?

History Lesson: Pompey o o Pompey was known as a great general who had the ability to be on the right side at the right place at the right time in order to be victorious. Strategy was not his strong suit – fate was! Before age 30, he was allowed to attach “the Great” to his name. Ten years later he drove the pirates off the Mediterranean Coast in just three months.

History Lesson: Pompey o o o He was then put in charge of Asia Minor and had a huge stroke of luck. Another general (very competent) had just about won the region over before a small rebellion within his own troops cost him a battle and some popularity back home. Pompey stepped in and cleaned up the mess, won the battles, and received ALL the credit.

History Lesson: Pompey o o Later, he returned to Rome and was welcomed with the grandest “triumph” ever witnessed in Rome’s history. When Marullus talks about the people “climbing towers” to see the great Pompey, he is making a reference to this greatest of triumphs because everyone would remember that event.

History Lesson: Pompey o o Pompey was not from an aristocratic family. This being the case, if he could ever gain acceptance from the aristocrats in the Senate, he would have it made. The senators, though, had seen nonaristocratic leaders before, and they knew how dangerous they could be. Thus they watched Pompey very carefully!

History Lesson: Pompey o o o He could not even persuade the senators to approve raises for the soldiers under his command. Pompey needed help, so he aligned himself with the richest man in Rome. This man was a charming orator and politician named JULIUS CAESAR. They ruled Rome as a “triumvirate” successfully…though with a few “twists. ”

History Lesson: Pompey o o o Pompey and Caesar “gave” themselves provinces, and Caesar, due to his abilities as a leader, governed not only his provinces but other territory as well. Caesar used this area as a base to begin his conquests of outlying territories. He accomplished these feats by the age of 44. Pompey became a bit jealous of Caesar.

History Lesson: Pompey o o o Pompey did not like the military reputation Caesar was developing because he knew that Caesar could grow in popularity with the citizens. Pompey realized that Caesar would over shadow him. The 3 rd party of the triumvirate eliminated himself from power by losing a ill-advised war. That left Pompey and Caesar in charge.

History Lesson: Pompey o o It was at this point that the Senate started to get involved. They recognized Pompey as the lesser danger between the two leaders, so they backed him. This pleased Pompey so much that he was persuaded to begin working against his own ally, Caesar. This was not good news for Caesar!

History Lesson: Pompey o o The Senate ordered Caesar to return to Rome without his army. Caesar knew that this was trouble and could lead to his banishment or execution. Caesar knew what he had to do, so he gathered his loyal soldiers and started a civil war. The war gave Caesar a chance to prove himself!

History Lesson: Pompey o o Pompey was surprised by this move and even more surprised when he saw the popularity of Caesar. Even many of Pompey’s own troops abandoned him to join Caesar. Pompey and the senatorial party had to flee. Caesar followed them and destroyed Pompey’s army in an ensuing battle.

History Lesson: Pompey o o Almost alone, Pompey fled to Egypt for sanctuary independent of Rome. Egypt, though, did not want trouble with Caesar, so they executed Pompey the moment they found him on Egyptian soil. Caesar followed Pompey’s trail and stayed in Egypt for a while. In Egypt he met Cleopatra, the queen.

History Lesson: Pompey o o Caesar then traveled to three other areas and won big battles before returning to Rome for the massive “quadruple-triumph. ” One thing of note: n o Caesar never celebrated his defeat of Pompey in that triumph. This was a political move to avoid conflict with anyone left who had been with Pompey. Caesar wanted to unite Rome and end war.

Another Attempt By Tribunes: o o o Even after all of the discussion with the commoners, the tribunes make one last point. They ask why the commoners are so dressed up for Caesar’s win “over Pompey’s blood. ” The “blood” is reference to another battle against the senatorial armies in which Caesar grabbed a sword and charged into the battle.

Another Attempt By Tribunes: o o Caesar’s actions inspired the soldiers to fight more efficiently and with more energy. This last victory was over one of Pompey’s two sons who were in the senatorial army. In this way, Caesar had beaten Pompey’s own blood. Why would this be a big deal to the commoners?

Another Attempt By Tribunes: o o o Remember, at one time, Pompey was revered by the masses. Some of those feelings may have still existed even though Pompey had turned against the masses. The tribune’s point was that the masses would be celebrating a victory by Caesar over the sons of a once-revered Roman figure.

Another Attempt By Tribunes: o o o Through all of this persuasion, the tribunes convince the masses to depart and go home or back to work. The tribunes also made sure to take down any laurels from the statues of Caesar that may have lined the streets on the way to the center of town. They seemed to have succeeded at last!

Another Attempt By Tribunes: o o o Marullus hesitates before taking down the laurels because he fears they may get in more trouble because it is the Feast of Lupercal. This mention is only used as a transition point in the play. The feast is actually four months after the triumph, but Shakespeare condenses events so as to make them seem the next immediate action.

Feast of Lupercal: o o o This is an ancient fertility festival that has an unknown date of origin. Countless European and Asian nations have featured this celebration at times in their own history. The festival involved the sacrifice of goats and the cutting of their skins into long strips by the priests in charge of the festival.

Feast of Lupercal: o o The priests (or other selected dignitaries) would then run a race while holding these skin strips like kites flapping behind or along side of the runners. Anyone struck by the strips of skin would be rendered fertile, so many husbands had their wives placed at strategic points along the course so they were bound to get touched.

Feast of Lupercal: o o Because of the condensed events by Shakespeare, it may seem that the Lupercal festival took place so suddenly that the triumph for Caesar was not held. Indeed, though, it was held. Shakespeare chose not to include the details of it probably because the main point of these opening scenes is to demonstrate opposition to Caesar.

What about “Mrs. Caesar? ” o o o Caesar had three wives altogether. His 1 st wife was a daughter of a radical antisenatorial politician. This may be the start of Caesar’s own anti-senate feelings. His father-in-law was killed, and when conservatives gained power due to this, Caesar was ordered to divorce his wife. He refused and stayed alive only due to connections in the aristocracy.

What about “Mrs. Caesar? ” o o o His 2 nd wife was a choice of convenience. He married the daughter of Pompey during a time when they were allies and at the height of his career. This was simply a smart and practical choice. Caesar ended up divorcing her when there were rumors of a scandal between her and another young Roman.

What about “Mrs. Caesar? ” o o o After forming the triumvirate with Pompey and the rich Roman, Caesar married Calpurnia. She was the daughter of one of Pompey’s friends. It looked to be another politically-motivated marriage for Caesar.

Back to the play… o o At the Lupercal feast, Caesar calls for his wife (more like a command, really) and orders her to stand near the race course so that when Antony runs by, she would be struck with the goat skin and become fertile. Antony, of course, is one of Caesar’s most loyal followers and has been a long-time partner / friend to Caesar.

A Warning to Caesar: Soothsayer o o A voice calls out to Caesar from the crowd with one of the most famous lines in Shakespeare: “Beware the ides of March” It is a warning from the Soothsayer in the crowd. Caesar is not sure where the voice is coming from and demands to see the person who is calling him.

What in the World are “IDES? ” o o You must consider the inconvenient Roman calendar to figure this one out. Each Roman month has three key dates, and the other days are described as “so many days before or after” one of the key dates. The key dates are not even spaced out regularly from month to month. The 1 st day of each month is the “calends. ”

What in the World are “IDES? ” o o Not long after the “calends” come the “nones. ” These fall on the 5 th of January, February, April, June, August, September, November and December and on the 7 th of March, May, July and October. The word “nones” means “nine” because it falls NINE DAYS before third key date, the “ides, ” where the nine days count the day of the “ides” itself. CONFUSED YET? ?

What in the World are “IDES? ” o o o The “ides, ” therefore, fall on the 15 th day of March, May, July and October and on the 13 th day of the other months. This means that “the ides of March” would fall on March 15 th as we know it today. Having this date in the text gives the reader a time reference for the action in the play.

What Does Caesar Do? o o After having the Soothsayer brought before him and hearing the warning in person, Caesar IGNORES the warning as plain silly talk and then goes about enjoying the Lupercal festivities. He’ll probably wish later that he had taken this moment more seriously!!

Moving On With the Action… o o After Caesar and his party leave, two people stay behind – Brutus and Cassius asks Brutus if he intends to watch the festival or not, and Brutus says that he does not plan to. He says: “I am not gamesome…like Antony. ” This means he’s not happy and lively. He is a typical Roman then.

Who is Brutus? o o o Full name = Marcus Junius Brutus Age = just past 40 at this point in the play He was not an admirable character in real life. He was the nephew of Cato, one of Caesar’s most passionate enemies. This means that Brutus started off against Caesar as well. He even fought on Pompey’s side in the war and was taken prisoner after the defeat.

Who is Brutus? o o o Brutus was pardoned and set free during the time after Caesar’s triumphant return from battle. Remember this was a time when Caesar was interested in unifying Rome and not having people carry hard feelings against him in a time of change. This seemed to work in Brutus’ case.

Who is Brutus? o o After being released, it was as if Brutus had been reborn as a loyal follower of Caesar. He was even named as one of Caesar’s lieutenants in the battles that would come up in Africa later. In those battles, Brutus fought against Cato and fought well against his old partner. This proved Brutus’ loyalty!

Who is Brutus? o o o However, Brutus made a critical decision later to abandon Caesar. It’s hard to pin-point exactly the reason for this, but many believe he was being selfish and looking out for personal interests. He was later finally convinced of the error of his ways and brought back under the service of Caesar (after a little repair work with him).

Discussion with Cassius o o o Brutus, though a bit solemn at this festival time, bears with Cassius as the conversation begins. It may be that he is just being polite. What he is going to hear is going to change the path of his career and his life forever!

Background of Cassius: o o o Cassius has a military background in part. He fought with Crassus and actually ended up taking over for him when he was incompetent and nearly had his entire army wiped out in battle. Cassius was also originally with Pompey but reassessed his situation after Pompey was defeated.

Background of Cassius: o o o He knew he wanted to be on the winning side of things, so he followed Caesar to Asia Minor and then threw himself at the mercy of the great leader. Caesar pardoned him and put him in his service. Later, Cassius married Junia (Brutus’ sister) and became Brutus’ brother-in-law.

More of Act 1: o o o Brutus starts to leave the scene after a moment, but Cassius gently restrains him. It is at this point that Cassius begins to lay it on pretty thick as he praises Brutus for his reputation and leadership qualities. Cassius has a use for Brutus and must win him over to his way of thinking.

More of Act 1: o Cassius’ approach to Brutus: n o “…it is very much lamented, Brutus, that you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. ” (Scene 2, Lines 35 -38) Cassius is saying that it’s a shame Brutus can’t even see his own value or good side. Instead, Brutus seems kind of unemotional.

More of Act 1: o Brutus is sometimes a hard character to figure out when this play is staged. n n Many times, directors will have him cast as a type of hero figure. That seems to be what most people expect. However, Shakespeare doesn’t seem to have much sympathy for Brutus. Shakespeare shows Brutus as a somewhat despicable character.

More of Act 1: o o o Cassius can’t stand Brutus’ apparent modesty. Brutus, though, is not really that modest. He’ll listen to people who praise him, and he’ll even praise himself when called for. Cassius has a hard time believing this apparent modest act of Brutus because he spends the rest of scene appealing to Brutus’ vanity.

More of Act 1: o o The flattery attempts are interrupted by the sound of shouting in the distance (ii, 79 -80). Brutus makes an interesting remark: n n “What means this shouting? I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king. ” The meanings of the word “king” were difficult for Romans.

“If I Were King…” o o Even Caesar had to be careful with the word “king. ” When he took power, he wanted reform, but he had to try doing that through the Senate. That didn’t work well, so he had to go against them and work more like a dictator. Caesar did what he wanted and was essentially a king without a crown.

“If I Were King…” o o Caesar knew that he was dictator for life, but being a life long dictator had its own set of problems. One major problem was his opponents now had even more reason to want to kill him. Also, his death would mean the automatic end to all of his work and reforms. If he were a king, laws could be made more permanent or at least longer lasting than a dictated decree.

“If I Were King…” o o o Being a king also came with a bonus of an heir to whom the crown would be passed. An heir would continue the king’s legacy after his death. A dictator does not get that privilege. Caesar’s desire to become a king was one of the major factors his opponents used to rile up people against him.

“If I Were King…” o o o Conservatives in Rome who might not want Caesar killed were worrying that Caesar’s popularity would lead the masses to call for Caesar to be king in the emotion of the moment. The Lupercalian festival would be just that opportunity! That is what scared Brutus when he heard shouting!

Back to Brutus and the Story… o o Brutus’ fear of Caesar’s being a king is encouraging to Cassius paints a picture of Brutus’ having to bow down before someone like Caesar as a king. That was an idea that Brutus had a difficult time accepting. Cassius continues by talking to Brutus about Caesar’s physical weakness and health.

Back to Brutus and the Story… o o Cassius never once calls Caesar a tyrant! He never claims that his reforms are evil or uncalled for! He is making a comparison of “man versus man” – “Caesar versus Brutus. ” Brutus seems to be buying it!

Back to Brutus and the Story… o Cassius then appeals to Brutus’ vanity by talking about Brutus’ ancestors. n n “There was a Brutus once that would have brooked th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king. ” (ii, 159 -161) Brutus considers himself a descendant of Lucius Junius Brutus, the legendary general who toppled one of Rome’s great legendary enemies.

Caesar Back in the Picture o o o While Brutus considers all this, Caesar reenters the scene and is very angry about something. Cassius and Brutus are both confused AND interested to know what is going on. Caesar makes an observation in his anger that Cassius “has a lean and hungry look” and that “such men are dangerous. ” -- IRONY

Caesar Back in the Picture o o o All of Caesar’s motions and speeches in the latter parts of Scene 2 are intentional by Shakespeare. Caesar appears as a fearless dictator who speaks more like a statue than a human being. This was the stereotype of Roman men, and Shakespeare, though he knew the truth, chose to go with what most people in his audience believed to be true!

The Plot Thickens… o o o All of Caesar’s group leaves except for Casca, who is held back by Brutus. Casca is asked about the events at the festival which caused Caesar to be so angry. His answer scares Brutus a bit: n “Why, there was a crown offered him; and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. ”

The Plot Thickens… o Antony takes advantage of the high emotions surrounding Caesar and the festival to offer him a “laurel. ” n n This is normally given to a victorious athlete or leader, but it is also the symbol of kingship in the times. For Caesar to put on the laurel would be the same as his accepting the crown to be a king.

The Plot Thickens… o o o Caesar is pretty smart and slick here. He arranges this scene with Antony beforehand makes the “crown” look as Roman as possible by using a laurel wreath. He plans to refuse it! He hopes the crowd will insist upon his taking it; then it would appear that they are declaring him king instead of his declaring it himself.

The Plot Thickens… o o o When the crowd CHEERS his refusal of the crown, Caesar does not know what to make of it at first. The scene is repeated, and the results are the same – the crowd CHEERS wildly! The offer is made a third time, the refusal is again made, and the crowd CHEERS even louder than before!

The Plot Thickens… o o o When Cassius and Brutus hear the story, they know what Caesar is up to, and they know that they must stop it at all costs. Even if the trick failed today, it might work the next time, and then Caesar would be a king. Casca then goes on to describe the anger of Caesar as being so heated that he “fell down, foamed at the mouth and was speechless. ”

A Weakness of Caesar: Epilepsy? o o o This condition was known as the “falling sickness. ” There is some historical debate about the truth of Caesar’s having epilepsy. Caesar may have merely fainted spell due to the stress and emotion of the moment.

More Information from Casca: o As Casca finishes his tale of the festival events, he throws in something that works somewhat like an afterthought. n n He mentions that Marullus and Flavius “are put to silence. ” They were perhaps executed for removing the laurels on statues of Caesar in Scene 1; more likely they were simply removed from their rank or office.

Headed Toward End of Act 1: o Casca leaves as does Brutus. This leaves Cassius by himself to reflect on what he has done. (ii, 308 -310) n o “Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see thy honorable mettle may be wrought from that it is disposed…” Brutus is called “honorable” many times, but he never seems to act honorably.

Headed Toward End of Act 1: o o o Instead of honorable, he could be called vain, envious, and in some cases STUPID! The next part of Cassius’ plan to work on Brutus is to forge letters of praise and have the letters thrown through Brutus’ window. Cassius is still attempting to appeal to Brutus’s vanity. Brutus is just vain and stupid enough for this childish scheme to work.

Strange Things Are Going On o o o The final scene of Act 1 opens with Casca’s meeting Cicero. Casca has a wild look about him, and when Cicero asks him what is going on, he explains that he has seen numerous supernatural events. This doesn’t seem to bother Cicero at all, and he brushes it off by asking if Caesar is going to the Capitol the next day.

Strange Things Are Going On o It is the night before the Ides of March (March 14 th). n o o About a month has elapsed since the end of Scene 2 in this Act, but it hardly seems like it. Caesar has called the Senate together for some incredibly important matter, but nobody seems to know what it is about. Most think it is about a military advance soon to occur.

Strange Things Are Going On o If that is the case and Caesar is headed out to battle some enemy, it would be normal for him to get everyone together and clean up any loose details. n n n One possibility = Is he going to force the king issue to be cleared up before he leaves? He is not likely to accept a forced title and then leave the city for a long period of time. Maybe he is officially declaring war on someone.

Strange Things Are Going On o o The conspirators are certain that Caesar is going to make a play for the crown and that they must stop him before the Senate meets. Because of the date (March 15 th) and its soonto-be historical importance, legends have popped up filling the night before with numerous supernatural events. These legends make for a good story.

Strange Things Are Going On o o o Cicero leaves, and Cassius enters to talk to Casca about the events of the night and the upcoming events of the next day. Casca passes on the rumor about Caesar’s making a play for the kingship in the Senate tomorrow. After listening to the frightening story of Cassius about “King Caesar, ” Casca joins the conspiracy.

Strange Things Are Going On o Cinna then enters the room, and Casca is immediately very cautious. n o He has just gotten involved in a plot that would mean his death if he is caught, so he has a right to be a bit nervous. Cassius calms him down and identifies Cinna as a friend.

Strange Things Are Going On o o o Cinna’s father was actually the father of Caesar’s first wife. It is amazing how many of the conspirators have direct ties to Caesar. Then again that may be one reason it was successful – Caesar would not have suspected people he knew so well and possibly trusted.

Other Conspirators Named o Along with Cassius, Casca, and Cinna: n n o Decius Trebonius Metellus Ligarius They all realize that they can succeed…especially if Cassius convinces Brutus to be the leader of the group.

Other Conspirators Named o Cassius explains the “forged letter” scheme to the group and then even has them help distribute the letters.

END OF ACT 1 o o As this opening act ends, the conspirators are close to putting their plan in action. The focus is now going to shift to Brutus and his decision about joining the plot. His decision will shape not only his own mind and career but also those of others around him. What a shame that he has a TRAGIC FLAW!!