Transcript Julius Caesar: Act 1 - Greater Atlanta Christian School

Julius Caesar: Act 1
English 10
Greater Atlanta Christian School
In the Beginning (Scene 1):
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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):
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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?
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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…
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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 higher-up aristocrats. Instead of
supporting the commons, they are riling them
up against Caesar.
An Odd Start…
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 3rd party of the triumvirate eliminated
himself from power by losing a ill-advised war.
That left Pompey and Caesar in charge.
History Lesson: Pompey
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Caesar then traveled to three other areas and
won big battles before returning to Rome for
the massive “quadruple-triumph.”
One thing of note:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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?”
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Caesar had three wives altogether. His 1st
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?”
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His 2nd 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?”
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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…
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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
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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?”
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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 1st day of each month is the “calends.”
What in the World are “IDES?”
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Not long after the “calends” come the
“nones.” These fall on the 5th of January,
February, April, June, August, September,
November and December and on the 7th of
March, May, July and October.
The word “nones” means “nine” because it
falls NINE DAYS before the third key date,
the “ides,” where the nine days count the day
of the “ides” itself. CONFUSED YET??
What in the World are “IDES?”
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The “ides,” therefore, fall on the 15th day of
March, May, July and October and on the 13th
day of the other months.
This means that “the ides of March” would
fall on March 15th 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?
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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…
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After Caesar and his party leave, two people
stay behind – Brutus and Cassius.
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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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Cassius’ approach to Brutus:
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“…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:
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Brutus is sometimes a hard character to figure
out when this play is staged.
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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:
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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:
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The flattery attempts are interrupted by the
sound of shouting in the distance (ii, 79-80).
Brutus makes an interesting remark:
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“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…”
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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…”
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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…”
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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…”
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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…
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Brutus’ fear of Caesar’s being a king is
encouraging to Cassius.
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…
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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…
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Cassius then appeals to Brutus’ vanity by
talking about Brutus’ ancestors.
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“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
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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
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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…
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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:
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“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…
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Antony takes advantage of the high emotions
surrounding Caesar and the festival to offer
him a “laurel.”
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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…
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Caesar is pretty smart and slick here.
He arranges this scene with Antony
beforehand and 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…
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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…
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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?
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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:
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As Casca finishes his tale of the festival
events, he throws in something that works
somewhat like an afterthought.
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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:
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Casca leaves as does Brutus. This leaves
Cassius by himself to reflect on what he has
done. (ii, 308-310)
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“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:
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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
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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
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It is the night before the Ides of March (March
14th).
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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

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.
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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


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 15th) 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
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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

Cinna then enters the room, and Casca is
immediately very cautious.


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

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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

Along with Cassius, Casca, and Cinna:
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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

Cassius explains the “forged letter” scheme to
the group and then even has them help
distribute the letters.
END OF ACT 1

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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!!