Keyword Guide · book-summary
The opening scene of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar sets the stage for the political turmoil that will eventually lead to the downfall of Rome’s most famous leader. It establishes a sharp divide between the cheering commoners and the skeptical Roman officials who fear Caesar’s rising power.
The play begins on a street in Rome during the festival of Lupercal. While the working-class citizens (plebeians) are dressed in their finest clothes to celebrate Julius Caesar’s triumphant return from defeat of Pompey’s sons, the tribunes Flavius and Marullus are outraged. This immediate tension highlights the central conflict: the people’s adoration of Caesar versus the ruling class’s fear of tyranny.
Flavius and Marullus confront a cobbler and a carpenter, demanding to know why they are not at their shops. The cobbler uses puns and wordplay to frustrate the tribunes, showcasing the wit of the lower classes. However, the mood shifts when Marullus delivers a powerful speech reminding the crowd of their former loyalty to Pompey, calling them 'blocks' and 'stones' for their fickle change in allegiance.
To dampen the celebration and limit Caesar’s influence, the two tribunes decide to disperse the crowds and remove any ceremonial decorations from Caesar’s statues. Flavius compares Caesar to a bird, suggesting that by 'plucking his feathers' (his supporters), they can prevent him from flying too high and keeping the Romans in a state of fear.
When analyzing this scene for class, focus on the theme of 'fickleness.' The Roman crowd's rapid shift from loving Pompey to idolizing Caesar is a recurring motif. Note the use of rhetoric; the tribunes use shame to manipulate the crowd, a tactic that will be mirrored later by Brutus and Mark Antony. This scene serves as a microcosm of the entire play’s political instability.
The scene establishes the political atmosphere of Rome, showing that while Caesar is loved by the public, there is significant resentment and fear toward him among Rome's elite and government officials.
They are tribunes—elected officials meant to protect the rights of the common people. Paradoxically, in this scene, they are seen scolding the people for celebrating Caesar.
Flavius compares Caesar to a bird that will fly out of reach if its wings are not clipped. By removing his decorations and dispersing his supporters, they hope to prevent him from becoming a dictator.
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