Julius Caesar - Act 1, Scene 1 Lecture Notes

Jul 22, 2024

Julius Caesar - Act 1, Scene 1 Lecture Notes

Key Themes and Background

  • Political Play: Central theme; important to use the term in analysis.
  • Historical Context: Written during Queen Elizabeth I's reign, reflecting concerns of power consolidation in Europe.
  • Setting: Rome, ancient political turmoil.

Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

  • Tribunes and Commoners: Scene opens with two officials (tribunes) ordering the commoners to return to their jobs instead of celebrating Caesar’s return.
  • Conflict Introduction: From the start, it's evident there’s division—commoners rejoice Caesar’s triumph, tribunes are wary and disapproving.

Detailed Explanation

  • Flavius and Marullus: Tribunes representing political opposition to Caesar. They scold the commoners for celebrating and instruct them to remove any decorations for Caesar.
  • Commoners’ Loyalty: Discussion highlights commoners' support for Caesar, contrasting with tribunes’ jealousy and political fears.
  • Pun and Wordplay: Cobbler uses puns around words like "meddle with," "healing," and "mending," showcasing Shakespearean language play.