Act oneShakespeare’s Julius Caesar

Act One, Scene One

This short scene functions: To establish time/setting To establish central conflict

▪Roman citizenry is fickle, easily changing loyalty ▪The Roman citizenry varies in its political attitudes towards Caesar

Act 1, Scene 2

In this scene, characters personalities and characters are revealed

Caesar: Ignores soothsayer’s warning Reminds Antony to touch Calpurnia

during Lupercal race Wants ‘fat’ men around him, unlike ‘lean’

Cassius

Characters

Brutus Established as honorable and just At war with himself (internal conflict) Fears Caesar will become too powerful if

crowned king

Characters, continued . . .

Cassius Jealous/envious of Caesar’s power Ambitious Dishonest Wants Brutus to join conspiracy to bring

honor to their cause

Cassius and Antony (Antonius) are foils

Characters, continued . . . Cassius and Antony (Antonius) are foils

Antonious: Extremely loyal to Caesar, ironically tells

Caesar that Cassius is harmless

Act One, Scene Three

In this scene, the motif of supernatural events becomes prominent

The supernatural events in this scene include: Thunder and lightning Storm of fire Slave’s flaming hand Lion in the capital Fiery men Owls in the daytime

The political disruption of Rome is being mirrored by the climatic disruption

The events foreshadow the assassination to come and add suspense

These events are interpreted differently by many characters

Casca is afraid and frightened, while Cassius believes (or appears to believe) that these supernatural events are good omens

What other omen occurred in Act One?

Test Review

Review ALL OF ACT ONE (try “No Fear Shakespeare”!)

KNOW ALL THEMES AND MOTIFS

ESSAY – How different characters interpret the foreshadowing/ supernatural events