Jul 24, 2008

Julius Caesar | Act 1, Scene 1: Summary and Analysis

New Characters:
Flavius and Marullus: tribunes opposed to Caesar’s growing power

Roman Citizens: among them a cobbler and carpenter, supporters of Caesar

Summary
The setting is February 15, 44 B.C., the Feast of Lupercal, on a street in Rome. After the death of Pompey, Caesar has returned to Rome as the most powerful man in the Republic. The play begins on a Roman street with a confrontation between Flavius and Marullus (Roman tribunes) and a crowd of citizens out to celebrate Caesar’s arrival for the games. The tribunes are concerned about Caesar’s growing...