8 B HOME WORK JULIUS CAESAR ACT 1 SCENE 1

Drama: Julius Caesar

Act I, Sc 1

Theme:. Caesar has defeated Pompey and the commoners support him, including the cobbler, who makes
puns about the situation. This causes the tribunes to attempt to control the commoners and keep them off the
streets to weaken Caesar's support.

Setting: A Street in Rome

1. What is the occasion for celebration? Which festival are the people celebrating?
2. What is the reason the cobbler tells Flavius and Marullus, he is leading the people through the street?
3. What is revealed about Pompey in the beginning of this scene?
4. What information about Caesar is given by the tribunes?
5. ‘Where is thy leather apron and thy rule?’ Who is the speaker here? Explain the lines.
6. Why are the tribunes Flavius and Marullus so upset at the beginning of the play?
7. How do Flavius and Marullus feel about the celebration?
8. How do they show their feelings toward Caesar?
9. Give at least one example of a pun in the opening scene. Explain.
10. Describe the political situation in Rome.
11. Why would the people do for Pompey? Describe how they welcomed him.
12. How does the scene show the fickleness of the crowd?
13. What is the comparison Flavius makes in the final lines of the scene? Explain.
14. What is the outcome of Marullus’ and Flavius’ scolding on the crowd?
15. Give the meanings of the following lines:
a. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on?
b. See whether their basest metal be not moved; They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.

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