| Why are the workers celebrating in Scene I? Why does Marullus scold them? | The workers are celebrating because Caesar will be passing through, making a public appearance. Marullus, a tribune, scolds the commoners because they were quick to praise and worship Caesar and forget about their old ruler Pompey. |
| What does the soothsayer tell Caesar in Scene 2? How does Caesar respond? | He tells him about the “Ides of March” (March 15). Caesar kind of ignores him. |
| What happens when Caesar is offered the crown? | He turns the crown down three times, then falls with an epileptic episode. |
| At the end of Scene 2, what is Cassius planning to do to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar? | Cassius has asked Cinna to put letters in Brutus’ chair because he wants Brutus to see how many people (especially the senators) who would support him to dethrone Caesar. He also plans to talk to Brutus. |
| What happens at the end of Scene 3 to move the conspiracy plot forward? | The actual throwing of the letters in Brutus’ window that talk up Brutus and talk down to Caeser. There is a meeting at Pompey’s theater |
| Shakespeare uses nature to mirror the disorder in human lives. What details in Scene 3 do you think evoke a sense of danger and terror? | The commoners hand in on fire and he does scream. A lion passes a man and didn’t want to scowl at or attack him. There are 100 women and men on fire. There are earthquakes, thunder, lightning, and torrents. Someone sees an owl in midday which is bad luck. This all tells us something is wrong. |
| What is your impression of Cassius, the protagonist, or main character, who drives the action in Act I? By the act’s end, what steps has he taken toward his goal? | Cassius the protagonist “has a mean and hungry look”, he is a great observer, he thinks too much, he doesn’t listen to music or goes to plays, and Caesar says such men are dangerous. He is also very crafty and cunning. By the end of act one Cassius has persuaded Brutus to consider the plot and go against Caeser. He has Casca and several others and he also forged letters to Brutus and has a meeting with the compositors and Pompey’s theater. |
| The exposition of Act I introduces the characters and conflict. How would you describe the tragedy’s conflict as it is established in Act I? | There is a man v. man conflict between Cassius and Caeser. They don’t like or trust each other. There is also conflict is society v. society, the conflict is between those Romans who believe a strong, effective, leader and those who see him as a tyrant and want to take him down. Finally there is a Brutus v. self conflict, where he internally struggles with whether or not to support Caeser. |
| A healthy republic requires a reason-ably intelligent and responsive citizenry. How do the nobles in the play speak of the citizens of Rome? What do you learn from this act about the moods and loyalties of the Roman people? | The two tribunes (Marullus and Flavius) actually call the commoners names, call them dumb, talk down to them, order them around, and act as though they should praise the interaction because they favor Caesar. Cassius calls them Servile Trash. Rome at the time is very divided about Caeser. |
| How would you evaluate the character of Brutus? Is he strong, weak, or something in between? | Brutus in his conversation with Cassius (act one scene two) reveals this about his character >Selfless>idealistic>Very concerned about the welfare of the people in Rome>He is somewhat naive and easily persuaded |
| A character foil is a character who serves as a contrast to another character. Throughout the play. Cassius serves as a character foil to Brutus. In what ways is Cassius a foil to Brutus in this act? | Brutus- Believes in the good in all peopleCassius- believes that a good leader has to manipulate people to get what he wants and sees more bad in people |
| Brutus loves Rome and believes in the republic. Would he be betraying his ideals by aligning himself with Cassius? Why or why not? | In one way no he would not be betraying his country because he believes in the good of all. On the flip side if Brutus betrays Caesar (because of Cassius) then yes he would be betraying the people and he would be committing a murder. |
Act One — Julius Caesar
April 16, 2020