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 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