1. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Act one

2. Act One, Scene One This short scene functions:
To establish time/setting
To establish central conflict
Roman citizenry is fickle, easily changing loyalty
The Roman citizenry varies in its political attitudes towards Caesar

3. Act 1, Scene 2
In this scene, characters personalities and characters are revealed
Caesar:
Ignores soothsayer’s warning
Reminds Antony to touch Calpurnia during Lupercal race
Wants ‘fat’ men around him, unlike ‘lean’ Cassius

4. Characters Brutus Established as honorable and just
At war with himself (internal conflict)
Fears Caesar will become too powerful if crowned king

5. Characters, continued . . . Cassius Jealous/envious of Caesar’s power
Ambitious
Dishonest
Wants Brutus to join conspiracy to bring honor to their cause
Cassius and Antony (Antonius) are foils

6. Characters, continued . . . Antonious:
Cassius and Antony (Antonius) are foils
Antonious:
Extremely loyal to Caesar, ironically tells Caesar that Cassius is harmless

7. Act One, Scene Three
In this scene, the motif of supernatural events becomes prominent
The supernatural events in this scene include:
Thunder and lightning
Storm of fire
Slave’s flaming hand
Lion in the capital
Fiery men
Owls in the daytime

8. The political disruption of Rome is being mirrored by the climatic disruption
The events foreshadow the assassination to come and add suspense
These events are interpreted differently by many characters
Casca is afraid and frightened, while Cassius believes (or appears to believe) that these supernatural events are good omens
What other omen occurred in Act One?

9. Test Review Review ALL OF ACT ONE (try “No Fear Shakespeare”!)
KNOW ALL THEMES AND MOTIFS
ESSAY – How different characters interpret the foreshadowing/ supernatural events