Act I Reading Guide

1. Explain why the working men are celebrating in the first scene. Why does Marullus
reproach them? They’re celebrating because they are making good money with the job
they have, and Marullus reproaches them to see why they’re so happy.

2. What is the setting of Scene 2? What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar, and
what is Caesar’s response? The setting is Rome and the soothsayer warns Caesar
about what’ll happen in March, but he doesn’t listen to him and says that they should
pass him.

3. Explain what Cassius wants to convince Brutus of in Scene 2? He wants to convince

him that he’s been different lately, stubborn and not as gentle.

4. Why does Caesar, in Scene 2, think Cassius is dangerous? What qualities disturb
him? He thinks that he has a lean and hungry look. The qualities that disturb him are the
fact that he reads much, he is a great observer, he looks quite through the deeds of
men, he loves no plays, he hears no music, and smiles in a way that he's mocking
himself and has scorned his spirit.

5. Describe what happens when Caesar is offered the crown, according to Casca? He
refused it 3 times and on the 3rd time and the breath of the common people were so
bad, he then swooned and fell down at it, when he started to swoon he was falling on
the floor, foaming at the mouth and was speechless.

6. Caesar stands astride the world as a powerful ruler, yet he suffers many personal
weaknesses. Various characters will tell us what these are, and they say that a man
who is as human as anyone else would not act like a god and rule the world. What
exactly are Caesar’s infirmities and weaknesses? They think he’s falling to sickness,
that he’s entitled, and that he’s not fit for a leader role because of the bloodshed of
noble bloods.

7. At the end of Scene 2, how does Cassius say he will pursue his plan to involve
Brutus in the conspiracy against Caesar? That he’s going to have Brutus and other
people topple on top of him, after he has braced himself going over the worst days of
his life.

8. Believing that nature mirrors the disorders in human lives, Shakespeare heightens
the atmosphere of terror as the conspirators gather to discuss their plans. What details
in Scene 3 do you think evoke this sense of danger and terror? The ocean would swell,
rage, and foam while the clouds were “threat’ning”.

9. Who is the moving force, the protagonist, who drives the action, in Act I? By the act’s
end, what steps has he taken to achieve his goal? Cassius, he has gotten other people
to turn against Caesar.

10. How would you describe the play’s conflict as it is established in Act I? The conflict
is harsh and run by jealousy.

11. Shakespeare uses even minor conflicts and events to set up the basic situation of
the play and to foreshadow future conflicts and events. Explain what you learn from this
act about the moods and loyalties of the Roman mob. The Roman os angry and they’re
loyal to Cassius because of what he’s said and planned against Caesar.

12. A healthy republic requires a reasonably intelligent and responsive citizenry.

Throughout this play people of Rome are described as “trash” or worse. Point out
passages in Act I where various nobles express their contempt for the common people.
How does this make you feel about these characters? Do the people seem to deserve a
republic? No, they don't. It seems like a highschool kid getting upset that people like
another girl more than her.
13. Cassius tells Brutus several anecdotes about Caesar in Scene 2. What is Cassius
implying through these stories? That Caesar is dangerous and that he’ll turn on all of us.

14. Do you have any conflicting feelings about Caesar during this act? Describe your
impressions of his character based on what you observe of his speeches, actions, and
what other characters say about him. He seems very full of himself, that he wants as
much as he can get and nothing will stop him.