![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_a38d9d34d04f4f6eb710f18346db6293f000.jpg/v1/fill/w_302,h_170,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/11062b_a38d9d34d04f4f6eb710f18346db6293f000.jpg)
JULIUS CAESAR
ACT I, SCENE 1.
In the bustling streets of Rome, a lively assembly of commoners has gathered to commemorate the Feast of the Lupercal and the triumphant homecoming of Julius Caesar following his victory over Pompey's sons. However, their jubilant celebration draws the ire of two tribunes, Marullus and Flavius, who reprimand the crowd for their excessive adulation of Caesar and for treating the occasion as a festive holiday. With a sense of guilt, the crowd disperses, and Marullus and Flavius leave to deface the statues erected in honour of Caesar.
Top of Form
![WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fabefb_6bfe19bed3f249c2a43177d6a3da0836~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_451,h_451,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/WILLIAM%20SHAKESPEARE.png)
William Shakespeare
The scene opens on a street in Rome with Flavius and Marullus reprimanding commoners for being out on a workday, demanding to know their professions. Flavius scolds a cobbler for not being in his shop and leading men around the streets. The cobbler defends himself, claiming to be celebrating Caesar's triumph. Marullus questions why they should rejoice, reminding them of Pompey's greatness and the ingratitude of celebrating Caesar's victory. He urges the commoners to return home and pray for forgiveness for their ingratitude. Flavius dismisses the commoners and instructs Marullus to help disrobe images celebrating Caesar's triumph, despite it being the Feast of Lupercal. They agree to do so, as Flavius vows to prevent Caesar from becoming too powerful. They exit, leaving the commoners to ponder their actions.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Act 1 Scene 1
1. Who are the characters present in the scene?
-
Flavius, Marullus, and certain commoners are present in the scene.
2. Where does the scene take place?
-
The scene takes place on a street in Rome.
3. What are Flavius and Marullus's attitudes towards the commoners?
-
Flavius and Marullus are disdainful and reprimanding towards the commoners.
4. Why do Flavius and Marullus reprimand the commoners?
-
Flavius and Marullus reprimand the commoners for being out on the streets and not working on a laboring day, and for celebrating Caesar's triumph.
5. What profession does the first commoner, a carpenter, claim to have?
-
The carpenter claims to be a carpenter by profession.
6. What does Marullus question about the carpenter's attire?
-
Marullus questions why the carpenter is not wearing his leather apron and rule, which are typical attire for a carpenter.
7. How does the second commoner, a cobbler, describe his profession?
-
The cobbler describes his profession as a mender of bad soles, referring to shoes.
8. How does the cobbler justify being out on the streets instead of in his shop?
-
The cobbler justifies being out on the streets by stating that he wants to wear out people's shoes to get more work for himself.
9. Why does Marullus express disbelief about the cobbler's profession?
-
Marullus expresses disbelief about the cobbler's profession because he finds it hard to believe that cobbling shoes could justify being out on the streets instead of working.
10. How does the cobbler respond when Marullus asks what he means by "mend me"?
-
The cobbler responds humorously by saying that he can mend Marullus if he is "out" (in a bad mood), but adds that he can cobble shoes.
11. What tools does the cobbler mention using in his work?
-
The cobbler mentions using an awl in his work as a cobbler.
12. Why does Flavius question why the cobbler isn't in his shop?
-
Flavius questions why the cobbler isn't in his shop because he finds it suspicious that the cobbler is out on the streets instead of working.
13. What reason does the cobbler give for leading men around the streets?
-
The cobbler gives the reason that he leads men around the streets to wear out their shoes and get more work for himself.
14. How do Flavius and Marullus react to the commoners' excuses?
-
Flavius and Marullus react sceptically to the commoners' excuses, finding them inadequate and disrespectful.
15. What does Marullus remind the commoners about Caesar's past actions?
-
Marullus reminds the commoners about how they used to celebrate Pompey's triumphs in the past, but now they celebrate Caesar's, despite Caesar's betrayal of Pompey.
16. Why does Marullus urge the commoners to go home and pray?
-
Marullus urges the commoners to go home and pray to the gods to intermit the plague of Caesar's ingratitude.
17. What does Flavius instruct the commoners to do after they leave?
-
Flavius instructs the commoners to gather at the Tiber banks and weep their tears into the channel until the lowest stream kisses the most exalted shores.
18. Why do Flavius and Marullus want to disrobe the images celebrating Caesar?
-
Flavius and Marullus want to disrobe the images celebrating Caesar to diminish his glorification and prevent him from gaining too much power.
19. What event are the commoners celebrating, despite Flavius and Marullus's warnings?
-
The commoners are celebrating Caesar's triumph, despite Flavius and Marullus's warnings about his betrayal of Pompey.
20. How does Flavius plan to prevent Caesar from gaining too much power?
-
Flavius plans to prevent Caesar from gaining too much power by driving away the commoners from the streets and removing the images celebrating Caesar's triumph.
![JULIUS CAESAR](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fabefb_56881577fe974a0eaec100fac9652b8e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_412,h_412,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/JULIUS%20CAESAR_edited.jpg)
![Image by Craig Zdanowicz](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_446a627251396655665849~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nsplsh_446a627251396655665849~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
JULIUS CAESAR,
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM ACT 1
Here are some context questions for each scene in Act 1 of "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, separated accordingly. These questions can help you understand the key points and dynamics of each scene in Act 1 of "Julius Caesar".
Here are the context questions for each scene in Act 1 of "Julius Caesar," separated accordingly:
Act 1, Scene 3
-
What strange and ominous events are described by Casca?
-
What do these strange occurrences signify to Casca and Cicero?
-
How does Cassius interpret the storm and the other unnatural events?
-
What is Cassius’s plan to overthrow Caesar?
-
What role does Cinna play in the conspiracy?
Act 1, Scene 2
-
What does the Soothsayer say to Caesar?
-
How does Caesar react to the Soothsayer’s warning?
-
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius as depicted in this scene?
-
What internal conflict does Brutus reveal to Cassius?
-
What physical ailment of Caesar's is mentioned by Casca?
-
How does Cassius plan to further persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy?
Act 1, Scene 1
-
What are Flavius and Marullus doing at the beginning of the scene?
-
Why are the commoners not at work?
-
How do Flavius and Marullus feel about Caesar?
-
What do Flavius and Marullus decide to do at the end of the scene?
Answers
Act 1, Scene 1
-
What are Flavius and Marullus doing at the beginning of the scene?
-
They are scolding the commoners for celebrating Caesar’s victory over Pompey.
-
-
Why are the commoners not at work?
-
They are taking a holiday to celebrate Caesar’s triumph.
-
-
How do Flavius and Marullus feel about Caesar?
-
They are wary of Caesar’s growing power and popularity.
-
-
What do Flavius and Marullus decide to do at the end of the scene?
-
They plan to remove decorations celebrating Caesar and disperse the crowds.
-
Act 1, Scene 2
-
What does the Soothsayer say to Caesar?
-
"Beware the Ides of March."
-
-
How does Caesar react to the Soothsayer’s warning?
-
He dismisses it as the ramblings of a dreamer.
-
-
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius as depicted in this scene?
-
Cassius tries to persuade Brutus to join a conspiracy against Caesar, appealing to Brutus’s sense of honour and patriotism.
-
-
What internal conflict does Brutus reveal to Cassius?
-
Brutus admits he is troubled by Caesar’s potential rise to absolute power.
-
-
What physical ailment of Caesar's is mentioned by Casca?
-
Caesar's epilepsy (the "falling sickness").
-
-
How does Cassius plan to further persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy?
-
By throwing forged letters through Brutus’s window, suggesting that the Roman people support him.
-
Act 1, Scene 3
-
What strange and ominous events are described by Casca?
-
A slave’s hand burning without harm, a lion in the Capitol, men on fire walking up and down the streets, and an owl hooting during the day.
-
-
What do these strange occurrences signify to Casca and Cicero?
-
They see them as bad omens indicating that something dreadful is about to happen in Rome.
-
-
How does Cassius interpret the storm and the other unnatural events?
-
He views them as signs that the gods are warning Rome about Caesar’s tyranny.
-
-
What is Cassius’s plan to overthrow Caesar?
-
He plans to gather more conspirators and win Brutus over to their cause, leveraging Brutus’s influence and reputation.
-
-
What role does Cinna play in the conspiracy?
-
He is tasked with delivering the forged letters to Brutus to further convince him to join the conspiracy.
-