Julius Caesar
Sticky Notes
Act I
Scene 1
• Scene One contains the antecedent action (events that
happen before the beginning of the play that will effect its
outcome). The antecedent action of Julius Caesar is
Caesar’s defeat of Pompey and his sons.
• Although the commoners in a Shakespearean play speak in
prose (normal language), the noblemen and noblewomen
speak in blank verse (unrhymed lines in iambic
pentameter—more simply stated, ten syllable lines that
don’t rhyme).
• In line 39 of scene one, the reference to chimney tops is an
anachronism (mistake in time or place whether intentional
or unintentional) as ancient Romans did not have chimneys.
Scene 2
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In lines 184-188 of scene two, foreshadowing is used to indicate that the
problem that occurred while Caesar was in public may cause a problem with
Caesar’s leadership.
In lines 234-236 of scene two there is an example of verbal irony (saying one
thing but meaning its opposite) when Casca says he did not take note of what
happened but then describes the scene in vivid detail.
Scene two line 244 contains an anachronism as Romans did not wear
nightcaps.
Scene two line 262 contains an anachronism as Romans did not wear
doublets.
In scene two lines 295-297, Cassius uses a metaphor (comparison not using
like or as) to compare Casca’s apparent stupidity to sauce for food.
Scene two ends with Cassius’ soliloquy (a speech given on stage by a character
while he or she is alone that expresses his or her inner thoughts and feelings)
in which Cassius indicates his knowledge of Caesar’s friendship with Brutus,
and Cassius’ plan to forge letters in order to manipulate Brutus into joining the
conspiracy.
Scene 3
• Scene three lines 5-8 contain examples of
personification (giving human characteristics
to non-human objects) by describing the wind
as “scolding,” and the ocean as “ambitious.”
• Scene three lines 104-108 contains several
metaphors that compare Caesar to a wolf,
lion, and fire and the Romans to sheep, deer,
and straw.
Scene 1 Summary
Scene One begins with the commoners
celebrating Caesar’s defeat of Pompey and his
sons in the streets of Rome on the Feast of
Lupercal. Murellus and Flavius remind the
commoners that they used to cheer when
Pompey defeated foreigners and tell the
commoners to go home.
Scene 2 Summary
Scene Two begins with Caesar instructing Antony to touch
Calpurnia in order to cure her barrenness (inability to have
children) during the Feast of Lupercal. The Soothsayer warns
Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March,” but Caesar ignores his
warning.
Brutus and Cassius have a conversation in which Brutus
reveals his worry over Caesar’s ambition to become the king
of Rome, and Cassius begins to try to entice Brutus into the
conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius reminds Brutus of Caesar’s
physical shortcomings and says that Brutus would be as good
a leader as Caesar. Casca interrupts this conversation with
news that Antony offered a crown to Caesar three times, but
that Caesar denied it each time (though reluctantly). The news
adds to the concern of Brutus and the anger of Cassius.
Scene 3 Summary
Scene Three begins with Casca and Cicero speaking of the strange and unnatural events
of the night before the Ides of March. Casca has seen many unnatural phenomena and is
afraid. Cicero leaves and Cassius enters. Cassius is not afraid of the unnatural
phenomena and believes instead that the night foreshadows good fortune for the
conspiracy that he has put together. In his conversation with Casca, Cassius reveals his
distaste for the Roman citizens and his hatred for Caesar as his real ambition for
removing Caesar from power. Several other conspirators are mentioned, and clear plans
to include Brutus in the conspiracy (through some manipulative and dishonest
maneuvers) are revealed.