Julius Ceasar

Page 1: Act 1 Scene 1

• Murellus and Flavius are tribunes (leaders).

• Their lack of uniform signifies their non-celebration of Caesar.

• Key Quotes:

  • Cobbler: "A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles." (Lines 13-14) -- Shakespeare's use of puns.

  • Pompey as a former leader with Caesar, illustrating the civil war beginnings.

  • Murellus scolds the Romans for their fickle minds regarding Caesar's triumph over Pompey.

• Fickle-mindedness:

  • Defined as unreliable opinions that change quickly.

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    Murellus' Quote:"And do you now put on your best attire...? Fall upon your knees, Pray to the gods to intermit the plague..." (Lines 50-55)

• Foreshadowing:

  • Quote: "It is no matter; let no images." (Line 70)

Page 2: Act 1 Scene 2 and 3

• The tribunes conspire to assassinate Caesar due to his overwhelming power.

• Caesar trusts Mark Antony and Brutus.

• Brutus's character trait: places nation above personal relationships.

• Conspiracy Builders:

  • Cassius orchestrates the assassination, leveraging Brutus' support.

• Supernatural Elements:

  • Soothsayer warns: "Beware the Ides of March." (Line 23)

  • Caesar dismisses the soothsayer as a mere dreamer (Line 24).

• Brutus’s Concerns:

  • Quote: "Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars..." (Lines 139-140)

Page 3: Power Dynamics and Manipulations

• Cassius fears the crowd's support for Caesar:

  • "What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king." (Lines 79-80)

• Cassius realizes Brutus might join the conspiracy (Lines 81-82).

• Brutus expresses his discomfort with Caesar's rising power:

  • “Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are..." (Lines 132-134)

• Cassius manipulates Brutus by comparing their names:

  • "Brutus and Caesar—what should be in that Caesar?" (Lines 141-147)

• Foreshadowing through ominous signs (e.g., storms, crows).

Page 4: Symbols and Further Conspiracies

• Cassius manipulates Brutus through forged letters to sway him to join the assassination.

• Natural occurrences mirror societal disrespect toward the gods:

  • Diverse supernatural signs indicate impending doom (Lines 11-28).

• Plans to rally support against Caesar solidify.

  • Quote: "There’s a bargain made. Now know you, Casca..." (Lines 120-125)

Page 5: Antony's Shrewdness

• Following Caesar's death, Antony's duplicity emerges.

• Effectively wins over the crowd by undermining Brutus’ justification for the assassination.

• Antony details Caesar’s humility, contrary to Brutus's claims:

  • Notes how Caesar refused the crown thrice.

• Antony hints at emotional manipulations (causing anger against Brutus).

• Description of Caesar’s will excites and incites the crowd:

  • "To every Roman citizen, he gives—seventy-five drachmas..." (Lines 237-239).

Page 6: Ceasar's Character and Clashes

• Caesar shows superstitious inclinations against signs (thunder/lightning).

• Compare bravery to cowardice: "Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once." (Lines 32-33).

Page 7: Caesar's Fall

• **Key Events:

  • Caesar's haughty attitude escalates confrontation.

  • First stab by Casca: "Speak, hands, for me!" (Line 76).

  • Antony mourns deeply, recognizing personal and civic loss.

  • Antony plots revenge while feigning loyalty: "Let each man render me his bloody hand..." (Lines 184-186).

Page 8: Rhetorics and Reactions

• Brutus employs rhetoric, attempting to justify the assassination: "Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers!" (Line 12).

• Antony leverages Caesar's will to flip the crowd's stance against conspirators:

  • "Here is the will..." (Lines 230-248).

• Praeteritio: Antony uses rhetorical devices to undermine Brutus' argument while pretending to honor it.