1. Aim: What do we learn about the Roman society in the first scenes of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar? Do Now: Did you know? Another word that Shakespeare invented: swag!

2. Pun - the use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words. Cobbler – a person who mends or fixes shoes – Cobbler: I am a mender of worn soles. Here the cobbler is using a pun. He is playing with the words sole (the bottom of your shoe) and soul. Sole and soul both sound the same, but they have different meanings. – Cobbler: Sir, please, don’t be angry. But if your soles are worn out, I can mend you. – Murellus: What do you mean by that? “Mend” me, you impertinent fellow?!

3. More Puns…

4. “And now you toss flowers in the path of Caesar, who comes in triumph over Pompey’s defeated sons? 1.1 50-52 How is are the Roman commoner’s characterized here? What does Marullus remind the mob about Pompey? Do we see this type of behavior in our own society?

5. Beware the Ides of March! The ides refer to the 15 th of the month – March 15. A Soothsayer is a fortune teller. What would you do if a fortune teller told you to beware of a certain date – would you listen?

6. “I do fear, the people / Choose Caesar for their king.” 1.2 81-82 What is Brutus’ internal conflict when it comes to Caesar? What is Cassius’ view of Caesar? What kind of man is Cassius?