Act 1, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
Summary
As thunder and lightning rage in the sky, a breathless Casca enters the scene with a drawn sword. He tells the elderly statesman Cicero that he has never before tonight witnessed a storm so violent that it seems to be “dropping fire,” as if the gods are warring in the heavens. Casca has also seen other strange and “wonderful sights” this night, such as a lion walking past the Capitol. Casca believes the storm and sights are omens foretelling troublesome times. Cicero agrees the signs are strange but says that men will interpret them subjectively, “after their fashion.” He exits.
Cassius enters, claiming the stormy night is “a very pleasing night to honest men.” What Casca interprets as bad omens, Cassius thinks of as signs that mirror the strangeness of a particular man’s ill-deserved power. Casca asks Cassius if he is referring to Caesar. Deflecting the question, Cassius says that in bowing down before one man, Romans have lost their valor. Casca informs Cassius that the Senate plans to crown Caesar king the next day. Cassius says that if such an event were to transpire, he plans to deliver “Cassius from bondage” by using his own dagger to commit suicide. He believes that because Romans are submissive sheep, Caesar may turn into a tyrannical wolf. Thus, it is up to Romans to stop being the kindling, “the trash” that is burnt to “illuminate / So vile a thing as Caesar.” Casca agrees, saying he will support Cassius in all his endeavors to rid Rome of Caesar’s tyranny.
Cinna, a supporter of Cassius, enters the stage. He tells Cassius that their “party” would gain moral validity if it had Brutus’s support. To that end, Cassius gives Cinna three forged letters, purportedly by commoners opposing Caesar, which Cinna is to place in and around Brutus’s house. Cinna exits.
Cassius tells Casca that the letters will surely win Brutus to their cause, since “three parts of him” is theirs already. Casca agrees that Brutus’s support is critical because the public view him as noble, and what would seem “offense” in others is interpreted as “virtue” in Brutus. They leave for Brutus’s house.
Analysis
Scene 3 amplifies the supernatural elements, presenting a storm filled with ominous signs that further develop the theme of omens and fate. Cassius’s appearance with his shirt “unbraced” (unbuttoned)—an anachronistic detail, as shirts did not exist in Caesar’s time—adds to the foreboding atmosphere. In this scene, supernatural occurrences like the “bird of the night” (an owl) shrieking in the daytime and a “slave” whose hand is aflame but unharmed foreshadow the role the supernatural will play in the unraveling of Caesar’s fate.
Cicero’s line about men interpreting omens in “their own fashion” emphasizes the play’s exploration of subjective perception and suggests that the impending conflict is as much about the differing interpretations of Caesar’s character and rule as it is about the events themselves. This scene cements the play’s exploration of power and the ethical dilemmas of leadership, reflecting Elizabethan anxieties over the balance between monarchy and the people’s voice.
Expert Q&A
What is the significance of the storm in Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar?
Shakespeare uses the storm in act 1, scene 3 of Julius Caesar to symbolize the gathering storm in Rome, to foreshadows the disruption to the Roman state that will be caused by Caesar's assassination, and to set the tone for the conspiracy scenes that lead to the assassination.
What does Cassius mean when he refers to Caesar as a wolf and the Romans as sheep in Act 1, Scene 3?
When Cassius refers to Caesar as a wolf and the Romans as sheep in Act 1, Scene 3, he means that Caesar's power comes from the ignorance and passivity of the Roman people. Cassius believes the Romans are easily manipulated and allow Caesar to rise to power, which will lead to his tyrannical rule, endangering the Republic.
List three animal metaphors in Julius Caesar, act 1, scene 3.
In act 1, scene 3 of Julius Caesar, three animal metaphors are used. First, the "bird of night" or owl is an omen of unnatural events. Second, Caesar is compared to a lion, symbolizing power. Third, Romans are likened to sheep, indicating they are easily led. These metaphors collectively underscore the unnatural state of Rome and its leadership.
Why do Cassius, Cinna, and Casca want Brutus to join their cause in Act 1, Scene 3?
Cassius, Cinna, and Casca want Brutus to join their conspiracy because his reputation and popularity could lend legitimacy to their plan to assassinate Caesar. They hope Brutus's involvement will make the act appear noble rather than treasonous, as he is well-regarded by the Roman populace. By aligning with Brutus, they aim to present the assassination as a virtuous act, thereby minimizing the risk of public backlash and ensuring their actions are perceived as justifiable.
Why are supernatural events reported in Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar?
Supernatural events in Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar reflect Elizabethan beliefs in omens and serve to illustrate political turmoil in Rome. Casca describes bizarre occurrences like fire from the sky and a lion near the Capitol, symbolizing chaos and forewarning Caesar's fate. Cassius interprets these as warnings against Caesar, convincing Casca of the need to act against him. These events foreshadow the ensuing civil strife and underscore the unnatural state of human affairs.
Why is Casca frightened at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3 in Julius Caesar?
Casca is frightened at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3, due to ominous signs and unusual occurrences, such as a fierce storm, a slave whose hand burns without harm, and a lion near the Capitol. He interprets these events as bad omens, suggesting either a divine warning of civil strife or impending destruction. In contrast, Cassius remains unafraid, challenging the storm and criticizing Casca's fear as unworthy of a Roman.
In act 1, scene 3 of Julius Caesar, why does Casca draw his sword?
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar, Casca draws his sword out of fear, as he encounters various ominous signs during a storm, including a lion that does not attack him and men "all in fire" walking the streets. These bizarre events lead him to believe that the gods are either at war or intend to destroy Rome. His drawn sword symbolizes his fear and foreshadows the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, which Cassius soon reveals to him.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar, how does Cassius compare Rome to women?
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar, Cassius compares Rome to women by suggesting that the current Romans, unlike their ancestors, lack the "minds" of their fathers and are governed by a "womanish" spirit. This implies weakness and submission, as Romans allow Caesar to dominate them. Cassius's view is sexist, equating femininity with weakness, although this stereotype is not consistent with the portrayal of women in other Shakespearean works.
The sense of danger and the supernatural evoked in Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar, the sense of danger and the supernatural is evoked through ominous weather, strange occurrences, and Casca's fearful description of unnatural events. These elements create a foreboding atmosphere, suggesting that something terrible is about to happen, and heighten the tension surrounding the political unrest in Rome.
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