Julius Caesar – Act 1, Scene 3
Detailed Word Meanings
Word / Phrase Meaning (Simple English)
1.Brought you Caesar home?-----Did you accompany Caesar back home?
2.He doth… like a Colossus -----He behaves like a giant, as if he rules over the whole
world
3.Tempest dropping fire------- A storm with fire-like lightning
4.Civil strife in heaven---- A fight among the gods / divine conflict
5.Unbraced -----Without proper clothing (with coat or robe undone)
6.Bareheaded-----Without a hat (a sign of disrespect or madness in those times)
7.Cross blue lightning---- Walk in the middle of the storm (blue lightning = storm
lightning)
8.Tiber trembling-----The river Tiber shaking with fear (personification)
9.Incensed them-----Made them angry (refers to the gods)
10.Slaves with burning hands---- Vision of a man with his hand on fire but unburnt – a
sign or omen
11.Men, all in fire, walk up and down--- People walking around on fire (a supernatural
sign)
12.Bird of night ---Owl (considered a bad omen)
13.Ghastly----- Terrifying or ghost-like
14.Prodigious----- Strange and unnatural, especially as a warning
15.Interpretation of the time Understanding the meaning of current strange events
16.Conjured up-----Called upon by magic or supernatural power
17.To be exalted with the threat’ning clouds------ To rise high like the dangerous
clouds (means Caesar is growing powerful like a storm)
18.Feeble temper----- Weak nature or character
19.Bondman----Slave
20.Wretched creature---- Pitiful or helpless person
21.Thews---- Muscles or physical strength
22.Put to silence Executed or punished (Flavius and Marullus are said to be silenced)
23.Tyrant’s yoke--- The control or oppression of a ruler (like Caesar)
24.The breed of noble bloods Descendants of noble Romans
25.Infuse his soul -----Fill his mind and spirit
26.Firmament------The sky or heavens
27.Walking in a cloud----- Being mysterious, secretive, or plotting
28.Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous----Make priests, cowards, and tricky
men take an oath
29.Cautelous---- Clever but deceitful or sneaky
SUMMARY
This scene takes place on a stormy night in Rome. There is thunder and lightning, which
sets a mood of fear and suspense.
Casca meets Cicero, a Roman senator. Casca is very disturbed by the strange things
happening in the city. He says he has seen:
A lion roaming near the Capitol
An owl hooting during the day
Men on fire walking in the streets but not burning
A slave's hand on fire without being hurt
Casca feels that these are signs of danger from the gods. He says:
> "These are their reasons, they are natural disasters warning us."
Cicero remains calm and leaves, saying people see what they want to believe.
Then Cassius arrives and explains that the gods are angry because Caesar is gaining too
much power. He compares Caesar to a storm and calls him a weak man who wants to be
king.
Cassius tries to inspire Casca to join the plot against Caesar. He says:
> “Rome has lost its freedom. We are now slaves under Caesar.”
Casca agrees and says:
> "Indeed, they say the senators will establish Caesar as king tomorrow."
Cassius decides they must act quickly. He says he will try once again to win over Brutus,
because Brutus’s name is highly respected by the Roman people. His involvement will
make the plan look noble and honorable.
In the end, they both decide to go to Brutus and persuade him. The scene ends on a dark
and serious note, with plans being made to assassinate Caesar.
