Scene 1
Who has Caesar defeated at the beginning of the play?
Pompey -- and his sons
What does the Soothsayer say to Caesar?
"Beware the Ides of March"
What does Antony offer Caesar three times in the marketplace?
A crown
To whom does Murellus say, "You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!"? Why does he call them such names?
The commoners
He says this as they are celebrating Caesar's return after defeating Pompey, whom they had previously also welcomed with joy.
What feast is being celebrated in Scene 2? What does Cassius do during the celebration?
Lupercal
He tries to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
What persuasive appeal is Cassius using when he says: "I was born free as Caesar; so were you: We both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter's cold as well as he"?
Logic, evidence, and facts (Logos)
What is the importance of this scene in the larger context of the play? How does it set the tone for events that will happen later on?
It shows us the mixed reactions of people to Caesar and his defeat of Pompey. The commoners gladly welcome him but those in higher positions (like the tribunes) fear and resent his rise to power and growing popularity.
Who does Caesar describe as having a "lean and hungry look"? Why does he not like such men?
Cassius
He doesn't trust them because they are dissatisfied and ambitious for more.
What is Brutus' inner conflict? What does it reveal about him as a person?
He loves Caesar but fears he will be a tyrant.
Reveals that he is loyal to Caesar as well as devoted to the citizens of Rome.
"Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, / Pray to the gods to intermit the plague / That needs must light on this ingratitude."
Who says these lines and to whom? Explain what ingratitude is being referred to.
Murellus to the commoners.
He is referring to how earlier they showed so much of devotion to Pompey and now they are eagerly awaiting the return of Caesar, who killed Pompey.
What does Cassius reveal in his soliloquy in Act 1? (What will he do to get Brutus to join the conspiracy?)
What character trait of his is revealed through this soliloquy?
He will write letters to Brutus in different types of handwriting pretending to be people of Rome who want Brutus to go against Caesar.
He is manipulative and dishonest.
What are some important themes that can be inferred from this scene?
1. the danger of ambition
2. the power of persuasion
3. the importance of loyalty
4. manipulation and betrayal
What do the tribunes, Flavius and Murellus decide to do at the end of the scene? How does this impact them as seen in the next scene of the play?
They decide to disrobe all Caesar's images and statues which have been decorated in honor of his return.
In Scene 2, we learn that they will be punished for this action. Casca says they have been "put to silence" - which could mean they have been executed or simply deprived of their tribuneship.
What are the two stories Cassius brings up about Caesar?
What two physical weaknesses do we learn about Caesar?
-Caesar challenged Cassius to swim (race) and began to drown.
-Caesar got sick in Spain and cried out like a girl
-Caesar is deaf in one ear.
-Caesar has epilepsy (the falling sickness).
Do you think Cassius and the other conspirators are right in their assessment of Caesar and what he might do to Rome? Give evidence from the scene to support your argument.
Yes - Caesar seems to be quite arrogant and egotistical and seems to want the crown, despite having refused it.
No - the fact that he is popular among the commoners indicates that he is a good person and takes care of the people under him. The higher officials are probably just jealous of his rising popularity.