Podcast
Questions and Answers
What action do the commoners take in response to their guilt?
What action do the commoners take in response to their guilt?
- They run to their houses and pray. (correct)
- They ignore their feelings of guilt.
- They gather to accuse each other.
- They celebrate Caesar's triumph.
What is Flavius's intention regarding Caesar's imagery?
What is Flavius's intention regarding Caesar's imagery?
- To disrobe the images decked with ceremonies. (correct)
- To enhance the festivities with more decorations.
- To celebrate it during the feast of Lupercal.
- To relocate it to the Capitol building.
What metaphor does Flavius use to describe Caesar's ambitions?
What metaphor does Flavius use to describe Caesar's ambitions?
- He will fly an ordinary pitch without influence. (correct)
- His reach extends beyond that of ordinary men.
- His wings are weighed down with guilt.
- He will rise with the power of the masses.
What philosophical state is Flavius concerned about among the people?
What philosophical state is Flavius concerned about among the people?
What does Marullus suggest doing about the situation in the streets?
What does Marullus suggest doing about the situation in the streets?
What trade does the Carpenter identify himself as?
What trade does the Carpenter identify himself as?
How does the Cobbler describe his profession?
How does the Cobbler describe his profession?
Why does the Cobbler say he is leading men in the streets?
Why does the Cobbler say he is leading men in the streets?
What is the main reason Marullus questions the celebration of Caesar?
What is the main reason Marullus questions the celebration of Caesar?
What is implied about the attitude of the Commoners towards Caesar's triumph?
What is implied about the attitude of the Commoners towards Caesar's triumph?
What does Marullus accuse the Commoners of being?
What does Marullus accuse the Commoners of being?
What does Flavius question about the Cobbler's attire?
What does Flavius question about the Cobbler's attire?
What does Marullus say about the crowd's actions towards Caesar?
What does Marullus say about the crowd's actions towards Caesar?
What does Flavius instruct the countrymen to do in response to their guilt?
What does Flavius instruct the countrymen to do in response to their guilt?
What does Flavius mean by 'growing feathers plucked from Caesar's wing'?
What does Flavius mean by 'growing feathers plucked from Caesar's wing'?
How does Flavius feel about Caesar's trophies being displayed?
How does Flavius feel about Caesar's trophies being displayed?
What is the significance of the 'feast of Lupercal' mentioned by Marullus?
What is the significance of the 'feast of Lupercal' mentioned by Marullus?
What does Flavius intend to do about the public gathering in the streets?
What does Flavius intend to do about the public gathering in the streets?
What does Marullus specifically demand from the Cobbler when he asks about his trade?
What does Marullus specifically demand from the Cobbler when he asks about his trade?
How does the Cobbler humorously refer to his trade with Flavius?
How does the Cobbler humorously refer to his trade with Flavius?
What is the Cobbler's reason for leading men around the streets?
What is the Cobbler's reason for leading men around the streets?
What does Marullus criticize the Commoners for doing in response to Caesar's return?
What does Marullus criticize the Commoners for doing in response to Caesar's return?
What imagery does Marullus use to describe the previous support for Pompey?
What imagery does Marullus use to describe the previous support for Pompey?
What does Flavius suggest to the Commoners about their celebration?
What does Flavius suggest to the Commoners about their celebration?
How does Flavius question the Cobbler's presence in the streets instead of his shop?
How does Flavius question the Cobbler's presence in the streets instead of his shop?
What is Marullus’s reaction to the Commoners wearing their best clothes for the holiday?
What is Marullus’s reaction to the Commoners wearing their best clothes for the holiday?
Flashcards
Lupercal feast
Lupercal feast
A festival in Rome, with specific rituals and traditions
Caesar's trophies
Caesar's trophies
Items displayed to honor Caesar's achievements, often in a public space.
Ingratitude
Ingratitude
Lack of appreciation for someone's kindness or generosity
Tiber banks
Tiber banks
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Commoners
Commoners
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Tradesman's role
Tradesman's role
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Holiday celebration
Holiday celebration
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Caesar's triumph
Caesar's triumph
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Pompey's defeat
Pompey's defeat
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Public disapproval
Public disapproval
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Citizens' indifference
Citizens' indifference
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Rome's celebration for Caesar
Rome's celebration for Caesar
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Historical context of Caesar's triumph
Historical context of Caesar's triumph
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What is the central theme of the scene?
What is the central theme of the scene?
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What is the significance of Caesar's trophies?
What is the significance of Caesar's trophies?
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Why do Flavius and Marullus want to remove the trophies?
Why do Flavius and Marullus want to remove the trophies?
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What is the role of 'ingratitude' in the scene?
What is the role of 'ingratitude' in the scene?
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What does 'plucking feathers from Caesar's wing' symbolize?
What does 'plucking feathers from Caesar's wing' symbolize?
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What is the dramatic irony in the scene?
What is the dramatic irony in the scene?
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What is the significance of the carpenter and the cobbler?
What is the significance of the carpenter and the cobbler?
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Why does Marullus question the commoners' holiday?
Why does Marullus question the commoners' holiday?
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How do the commoners react to Marullus's lecture?
How do the commoners react to Marullus's lecture?
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What is the significance of the Tiber River's trembling?
What is the significance of the Tiber River's trembling?
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Why does Marullus use imagery of climbing walls and towers?
Why does Marullus use imagery of climbing walls and towers?
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Why does Marullus call the commoners "blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!"?
Why does Marullus call the commoners "blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!"?
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What is the overall message of the scene?
What is the overall message of the scene?
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Study Notes
Scene Summary
- Commoners celebrating Caesar's triumph, ignoring Pompey.
- Tribunes Flavius and Marullus rebuke the crowd for their ingratitude.
- Flavius and Marullus order the removal of Caesar's decorations.
Character Interactions
- Flavius and Marullus chastise commoners for celebrating Caesar's triumph over Pompey.
- Commoners, including a carpenter and cobbler, initially defend their celebration.
- Commoners eventually comply with the tribunes' directives.
Key Themes
- Ingratitude and fickle adulation: The commoners are criticized for their lack of loyalty to Pompey and their quick shift to celebration of Caesar.
- Political manipulation: The scene reveals how celebrations and public displays can be used to manipulate popular opinion and gain favor.
- Authority and resistance: The tribunes try to maintain some sort of public order that opposes the celebration of Caesar.
Dialogue Analysis
- Flavius's rebuke: Flavius uses strong language ("idle creatures," "worse than senseless things," "cruel men of Rome") to express his disapproval of the celebration.
- Cobbler's response: The cobbler's defense of his actions ("to wear out their shoes," "make holiday to see Caesar") reveals a more pragmatic view (earning his living) yet also acknowledging popular opinion (celebrating Caesar).
- Marullus's speech: Emphasizes the contrast between Caesar's triumph and Pompey's past glory, highlighting the people's failure to remember the past.
- Implied threat: Flavius hints at Caesar's potential for tyranny and controlling the people through his influence due to their fickle nature.
Setting
- Rome's streets, near the Capitol.
- The time is during Caesar's triumph.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the events of Act 1 Scene 1 of Julius Caesar. This scene encapsulates the themes of ingratitude, political manipulation, and the tension between authority and public opinion as tribunes Flavius and Marullus confront the celebrating commoners. Explore character interactions and key themes reflected in this vital opening act.