Julius Caesar summary notes
Originally England was conquered by the Romans and was once part of the Roman Empire. During the Renaissance there was an interest in all things Roman.
Act I
As the play opens the people of Rome wonder if Julius Caesar will become the emperor.
Scene i – opens in the streets of Rome. Caesar has overthrown Pompey in battle.
Tribunes Flavius and Marullus question a cobbler about being on the streets and not working. There is a pun made about “bad soles,” which also refers to the cobbler being a “bad soul.”
These men question why the people now support Caesar when they had before supported Pompey, another Roman general. They disperse the crown and tell them to take down decorations, even though it is the feast of Lupercal, so that it is not seen that they are celebrating Caesar’s victories.
Scene ii – a race is taking place
Caesar tells Calpurnia to be sure to touch Anthony so that she will have luck in bearing children.
A soothsayer warns Caesar to “beware the Ides of March” – famous line that warns of something bad going to happen. Caesar pays no attention to this warning.
When Cassius asks Brutus if he’s going to watch the races Br. says, “I am not gamesome: I do lack some part/ Of that quick spirit that is in Anthony
Later Cassius and Brutus are talking alone. Brutus is not himself and tells Cassius not to pay any attention to how he looks. He has conflicted emotions and can only see himself through other people, ”the eye sees not itself But by reflection, by some other things.”
Brutus does not want Caesar as king even though he loves him.
Cassius speaks negatively about Caesar when he says, “and groaning underneath this age’s yoke,….” (Caesar’s tyranny) Cassius resents Caesar and remarks how he is different from him, yet the same.
Brutus wants to know what Cassius is leading up to.
Cassius tells Brutus about a story when Caesar dared Cassius to swim in the Tiber when the waters were rough. Cassius ends up saving Caesar when he cries for help; now Cassius is disgusted bc Caesar is being treated like a god.
Cassius also tells Brutus that it will be their own fault if they can’t control Caesar.
Cassius warns Brutus that Rome is falling apart; Brutus understands what he is telling him, expresses his love for Rome, but wants to think about what should be done.
As Caesar and his entourage enter, both men watch him bc they are afraid he might be crowned king. Brutus says, “The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow, and all the rest look like a chidden train [scolded attendants).”
Caesar comments that he can trust fat men. He thinks thin men like Cassius can’t be trusted. Caesar says, “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;/How he did shake…..”
Later in this scene, Casca talks about how Caesar is offered the crown by the people 3 times but refuses it; then he he faints as if having a seizure. When he recovers, he is sad, even though the crown praises him for not accepting the crown.
After this Cassius asks Brutus what Cicero said, but Cicero speaks in Greek. When asked what he said, Casca says he doesn’t know because “….it was Greek to me.” This famous line means “I don’t understand it.”
Soliloquy at the end of scene ii – Cassius expresses his concern that Brutus is too noble to win over. He decides he will build up Brutus’ ego so that he can get him to help him overthrow Caesar. He plans to throw writings by people (that show high respect for Brutus) into Brutus’ window.
Scene iii – a street, with thunder and lightning
Casca talks about how strange things are occurring:
- He has never seen a storm like the one that night.
- A slave’s hand was burning and yet it was not burned.
- An owl was shrieking during the day time.
Cicero remarks how these strange times warn of evil things to come
Cassius compares all these strange happenings to a “monstrous state” (“abnormal condition of government”) – Caesar.
Casca tells Cassius that Caesar will be crowned king the next day by the Senate, everywhere except in Italy (where they are).
Cassius goes on to talk to Casca about not fearing Caesar’s tyranny, but then fears Casca could be a tattletale, a servant of Caesar. However, Casca assures him he’s not and sides with Cassius.
Cassius tells Casca he’s already gotten some other noble Romans to side with him to overthrow Caesar. Cassius says, “…three parts of him/ Is ours already, and the man entire/…” - indicates they’ve almost won over Brutus. When Cinna (another conspirator) appears, Cassius has him take papers to Brutus to win him over to their side.
Quiz on Act 1 this Wed. – 25 items
Part 1 - Matching with characters with actions
Partn 2 - 8 -10 questions with direct quotes - you must identify the character (speaker)
Part 3 - 5 – 6 true/false items
Tues. – Bring Vocab. book
Wed. – Act 1 quiz and work on vocab. unit 4
Thurs. – Review vocab. exercises and continue reading Julius Caesar
Fri. – Vocab. Unit 4 quiz and continue reading Julius Caesar