Scene 1 establishes the context for Caesar's subsequent assassination. The fraught exchange between the tribunes and a cobbler tells us two very important things. First, it tells us that Caesar is loved by the common people of Rome, the plebeians; and secondly, it tells us that he's equally loathed by large sections of the upper classes. In the opening scene, the fickleness of the masses is also highlighted. Plebeians, like the cobbler, are taking the day off work to celebrate Caesar's triumph over Pompey, when only recently they were singing Pompey's praises. It is this same fickleness that will allow Mark Antony to manipulate the crowd later on, when he gives his famous funeral oration.

Scene 2 shows Cassius expertly playing on Brutus's doubts about Rome's current direction to get him involved with the plot to murder Caesar. Brutus is Caesar's good friend, but he loves Rome more, and he believes that Caesar plans to make himself king and destroy his beloved republic. Cassius knows this, which is why he tries hard to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy.

Scene 3, like the previous two, foreshadows important events in the play. The night is full of weird portents and omens, such as thunder and lightning and a man on fire walking through the marketplace. The conspirators interpret these strange goings-on as a sign that the gods smile upon their plot to assassinate Caesar. This gives them added resolve to murder Caesar at the Senate on the Ides of March.