JULIUS CAESAR ACT 1

Aman, Apoorva, Shivana and Simran

Act 1 Scene 1

“To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome” said Murellus. Murellus  remarks that all the Romans (commoners) would climb to roof tops and towers just to get a glance of ‘great Pompey’. He goes on to comment that the commoners have betrayed Pompey. Murelles claims that they have done this by praising caesar on his victory of Pompey. The plot comtinues as Flavius commands the commoners to go home as it is not a holiday.

  This extract highlights two key factors in the progression of

Shakpeare’s play. Firstly the play opens with a few senators (roman Politians) unhappy with Caesar as the head of a self proclaimed monarch. This foreshadows a political revolts to come. Also the extract highlights the “Fickle” mindedness of the commoners this fickle mindedness plays a huge role in the progression of the plot.

Act 1 Scene 2

Caesar tells Antony to touch his wife Calpurnia on the head with the sacred rod.During his run to rid her of her sterility. Antony responds with, "When Caesar says 'Do this', it is performed"

Soothsayer warns Caesar about the Ides of March but Caesar ignores his warning and calls the soothsayer a “dreamer”.

Cassius and Brutus Talk to each other and Brutus is at War with Himself.

Brutus says he is afraid the people will crown Caesar king. Cassius tells Brutus that they were both born “free men” the same way Caesar was. He tells Brutus that he and Caesar were swimming across the Tiber river, and Caesar started to drown and Cassius rescued Caesar and carried him to the shore. He thinks that Caesar has become powerful and Cassius must now bow before him.

Anthony Presents Caesar with the kingly crown thrice which Caesar thrice refuses.

Scene 2 Continued…….. “Like a Colossus” Is the similie Cassius uses to

describe Caesar’s growing power. Cassius plays with Brutus’s mind and try’s to

manipulate him. Eg- “Why should that name be sounded more than your?” or “ ‘Brutus’ will start a Spirit as soon as ‘Caesar’ ” or “There was a Brutus once that would have brooked the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome”

Brutus wants to Discus it later with Cassius. Caesar returns angry and Calpurnia looks “pale”. Caesar warns Anthony about Cassius. Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Caesar fell in the

Market place “foamed at the mouth”.

Act 1 Scene 3

Casca tells of strange things he has seen and heard about that night. These strange events mean that something ominous is about to take place.  Cassius comes.

He has been wandering the streets during the storm. He tells Casca that the unnatural disturbances are a warning that something is badly wrong with Roman society.

Casca believes that the following day, the Roman Senate will offer Caesar a crown. Cinna, enters. Cassius gives himthe letters he has written and tells Cinna to throw them into Brutus's house.

Charecters Scene 1Flavius MurellusCobbler

Scene 2CaesarCassiusAnthonyBrutusCalpurniaCasca

Scene 3- CiceroCascaCassiusCinna

Important Quotes

Act 1 Scene 1- “To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome” Act

1, Scene 1Act 1 Scene 2- “When Caesar says "Do this," it is done.” Anthony

Reassures Caesar that he shall do as asked. "Beware the ides of March.“-Scene 2The soothsayer's

warns Caesar.Act 1, Scene 2

"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;   He thinks too much: such men are dangerous."Caesar expresses his opinion of Cassius.Act 1 Scene 2,

Themes in Act 1

Death- Pompey

- Flavius and Murellus Sickness and Disease-Caesar’s Epilepsy

-Calpurnia’s Infertility Public Versus Private-Feast of Luprical Pompey’s

Death

-Caesar refuses the crown at the Market

Love and Friendship- Caesar and Anthony

-Brutus and Cassius