Page 1: Introduction to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and

Act 1

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is a powerful historical tragedy based on real events from
ancient Rome. It explores the assassination of Julius Caesar and the consequences of that act on the
Roman Republic. Written around 1599, the play delves into themes of power, betrayal, loyalty,
honor, and fate.

Act 1 introduces us to the political conflict in Rome. Caesar has returned victorious from a civil war
after defeating Pompey. The Roman crowd is celebrating, but not everyone is happy. Some fear that
Caesar’s popularity will lead to dictatorship.

This act sets the foundation for the rest of the play. It introduces major characters: Julius Caesar,
Brutus, Cassius, Mark Antony, and Casca. The audience begins to see the danger that Caesar’s rise
poses to the republic. Shakespeare shows us the tension between democracy and dictatorship.

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Page 2: Scene 1 – The Tribunes and the Commoners

Act 1, Scene 1 opens on a street in Rome. Two Roman tribunes, Flavius and Marullus, are angry at
the commoners for celebrating Caesar’s return. They remind them how they once celebrated
Pompey, the man Caesar just defeated.
The tribunes accuse the people of being fickle and warn them about Caesar’s rising power. They fear
that he will try to make himself king and destroy the Republic. They remove garlands from Caesar’s
statues as a protest.

This scene shows the divide between the Roman upper class (senators and tribunes) and the general
public. The tribunes represent those who want to protect the republic, while the citizens represent
the easily-swayed public.

> Marullus: “You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!”

Picture suggestion: Flavius and Marullus pulling down decorations while citizens watch.

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Page 3: Scene 2 – The Festival of Lupercal and the Soothsayer’s Warning

Scene 2 takes place during the Feast of Lupercal, a fertility festival. Caesar arrives with his entourage,
including Mark Antony, Brutus, and Cassius. He tells Antony to touch his wife Calpurnia during the
race so she may become fertile.

A mysterious Soothsayer appears and warns Caesar:

> “Beware the Ides of March.”

The "Ides" means the 15th of March. Caesar ignores this warning and calls the soothsayer a
"dreamer."
This scene shows Caesar’s arrogance. He believes himself untouchable. The warning creates
suspense for the audience and foreshadows his fate. Caesar's reaction to the soothsayer shows his
overconfidence and pride.

Picture suggestion: The soothsayer pointing toward Caesar dramatically as others look on in
confusion.

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Page 4: Cassius Begins to Influence Brutus

After Caesar leaves, Cassius begins a private conversation with Brutus, who seems troubled. Cassius
tries to convince Brutus that Caesar is becoming too powerful. He reminds Brutus of their equal
status and belittles Caesar by sharing stories of his physical weakness.

Cassius appeals to Brutus’s love for Rome, suggesting that Caesar’s ambition is dangerous. He
praises Brutus’s noble family and reputation, hoping to flatter him into joining a conspiracy.

> Cassius: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”

This quote shows the belief in free will. Cassius believes men make their own destiny—not fate or
the stars. Cassius’s manipulation begins here.

Picture suggestion: Cassius and Brutus sitting on stone steps in a dimly lit Roman courtyard.
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Page 5: Brutus’s Conflict – Friendship vs Patriotism

Brutus is torn between his friendship with Caesar and his duty to the Roman Republic. He is an
honorable man and believes in democracy. Brutus fears that if Caesar becomes king, he may turn
tyrant.

Shakespeare presents Brutus as noble but naive. Cassius takes advantage of Brutus’s internal
struggle, knowing that Brutus’s involvement will give the conspiracy a moral appearance.

Brutus does not act out of envy but out of a genuine concern for Rome’s future. His tragic flaw is his
idealism—he believes people act out of virtue, not ambition.

Theme: Personal loyalty vs public duty.

Picture suggestion: Brutus standing alone near a Roman pillar, looking torn and anxious.

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Page 6: Caesar’s Public Image and Refusal of the Crown

As the crowd cheers, Mark Antony offers Caesar a crown three times. Caesar refuses each time, and
the crowd cheers louder every time he refuses. Casca later tells Brutus and Cassius that it looked like
Caesar really wanted the crown but pretended to be modest.

Caesar even faints during the event, possibly due to epilepsy, but his behavior suggests he knows
how to control public image. He acts humble to gain more support.
> Casca: “I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown—yet he refused it…”

The scene shows how Caesar controls the crowd, hides his ambition, and plays politics well. It also
reveals Casca’s sarcastic and cynical view of events.

Picture suggestion: Caesar raising his hand to refuse the crown while the people cheer and Antony
kneels.

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Page 7: Caesar’s Flaws and Fears

Despite his strong appearance, Caesar has weaknesses. He is deaf in one ear and has health
problems. He shows fear of Cassius, whom he describes as too clever and ambitious.

> Caesar: “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.”

This shows that Caesar is not blind to threats, but he dismisses them arrogantly. Caesar believes he
is above danger, which is his tragic flaw—hubris (excessive pride).

Shakespeare shows that even powerful leaders are human, and their downfall can come from
ignoring warnings and underestimating others.

Picture suggestion: Caesar with a proud expression, while Cassius watches him from the shadows.
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Page 8: Strange Omens and Casca’s Fear

Scene 3 introduces eerie and unnatural events. There is thunder, lightning, and people see men on
fire, lions in the streets, and ghosts. The Romans believe these signs predict disaster.

Casca is frightened and believes these omens show that the gods are angry. Cassius, however, uses
the storm to convince Casca to join the conspiracy. He says such signs prove Caesar is dangerous.

This scene is filled with supernatural imagery, which reflects the chaos about to happen in Rome.
The weather mirrors the political storm growing among the conspirators.

> Casca: “It is the part of men to fear and tremble…”

Picture suggestion: A dark sky filled with lightning as people run in fear through Roman streets.

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Page 9: The Conspiracy Takes Shape

In this scene, Cassius outlines his plan. He will forge letters that look like they’re from Roman
citizens. These letters will praise Brutus and suggest that Caesar is becoming too powerful. Cassius
believes that once Brutus sees these, he will be convinced to act.
Cassius knows Brutus is popular and respected. With Brutus on their side, the conspiracy will look
like an act of patriotism rather than envy. Casca agrees to help Cassius.

Shakespeare shows how easily public opinion can be influenced by lies and deception—a theme that
still applies to politics today.

Picture suggestion: Cassius writing fake letters at night, with candlelight flickering on his face.

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Page 10: Brutus’s Destiny and the Foreshadowing of Tragedy

The act ends with a sense of doom. Brutus, though still unsure, is being pulled toward the
conspiracy. The letters Cassius plans to send will push him over the edge. The audience knows
Brutus will make the choice that changes everything.

The warning of the Ides of March, the strange weather, and Caesar’s pride all foreshadow a tragedy.
Shakespeare builds tension, showing how noble intentions can lead to terrible consequences.

Act 1 ends with the stage set for Caesar’s downfall—and the tragic fate of Brutus and the republic.

> Cassius (to Casca): “Three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire upon the next
encounter yields him ours.”

Picture suggestion: Brutus staring at a forged letter in candlelight, while a shadow of Caesar looms
behind him.
Page 11: Character Study – Julius Caesar

In Act 1, Julius Caesar appears as a powerful public figure, adored by many but also feared by others.
Though he doesn’t speak much, his presence dominates Rome.

Qualities shown in Act 1:

Pride: Caesar ignores the soothsayer’s warning: “He is a dreamer; let us leave him.”

Ambition: Though he refuses the crown, it seems he wants it.

Paranoia: He expresses suspicion about Cassius, calling him dangerous.

Despite being portrayed as almost god-like by the people, Caesar has human flaws:

He is deaf in one ear

He has epilepsy

He’s vulnerable to flattery and symbolism

In Shakespeare’s portrayal, Caesar is not simply a hero or villain—he is a complex character, both
admirable and dangerous.

Picture suggestion: A statue of Caesar with cracks forming—showing his noble exterior but flawed
interior.
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📘 Page 12: Character Study – Brutus

Marcus Brutus is perhaps the most important character in Julius Caesar. Act 1 shows that he is:

Noble and respected by all

Loyal to Caesar, but more loyal to Rome

Philosophical, thoughtful, and torn by inner conflict

Cassius begins to manipulate him, but Brutus is not easy to convince. He needs to believe that
Caesar’s death will serve the greater good, not personal gain.

> Brutus: “I do fear the people / Choose Caesar for their king.”

Brutus’s major struggle is between emotion and reason, friendship and duty.

He will later become the tragic hero of the play, and in Act 1, we see the seeds of his downfall
beginning to grow.

Picture suggestion: Brutus sitting alone in a garden with a candle, holding a letter and looking up at
the stars.
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📘 Page 13: Character Study – Cassius

Cassius is the most cunning and persuasive character in Act 1. He’s jealous of Caesar and resents the
idea that one man should have so much power.

He uses:

Flattery (telling Brutus he is just as noble as Caesar)

Fear (suggesting that Rome is in danger)

Deception (forged letters)

Cassius represents manipulative politics, where personal motives are disguised as patriotism. He
doesn’t believe in fate—he believes people make their own destiny.

> Cassius: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves…”

While some may see him as the villain, others may argue he’s just trying to protect Rome from
tyranny.

Picture suggestion: Cassius holding a mask in one hand and a dagger in the other.
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📘 Page 14: Historical and Political Background of Act 1

Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar based on real Roman history from around 44 B.C. The Roman
Republic was a system of government with elected officials, but Julius Caesar’s rise as dictator for life
threatened this democracy.

The play was also a warning to Shakespeare’s own society. Queen Elizabeth had no heir, and many
feared civil war. Shakespeare used Roman history to explore timeless political questions:

What happens when one person has too much power?

Is it ever right to betray a friend for a cause?

Can violence ever bring peace?

Act 1 shows Rome on the edge of a crisis—just as England may have felt in Shakespeare’s time.

Picture suggestion: Roman senators gathered in debate, with Caesar’s throne in the background.

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📘 Page 15: Literary Devices in Act 1

1. Foreshadowing

The soothsayer’s warning: “Beware the Ides of March” hints at Caesar’s death.

2. Dramatic Irony

The audience knows Caesar should listen to warnings, but he does not.

3. Metaphor

Cassius says Caesar walks like a “Colossus” over the world, symbolizing his immense power.

4. Allusion

Brutus is reminded of his ancestor who helped overthrow Rome’s last king—this inspires him to act.

5. Symbolism

The storm at the end of Act 1 represents the chaos and violence to come in Rome.

Shakespeare’s language in Act 1 is rich in imagery, persuasion, and symbolism, which builds tension
from the very beginning.

Picture suggestion: Open scrolls with quotes and metaphors, lightning flashing in the background.