Act 1, Scene 1 of Julius Caesar

 

Act 1, Scene 1 of *Julius Caesar*, featuring the

### Original Text and Explanation

 

**(Enter Flavius, Marullus, and a Commoner)**

 

**Flavius:** 

*Hence! Home, you idle creatures, get you home! 

Is this a holiday? What, know you not, 

Being mechanical, you ought not walk 

Upon a laboring day without the sign 

Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Flavius addresses the commoners harshly, telling them to go home and questioning why they are out celebrating. He emphasizes that they should not be idle on a working day and demands to know their trades.

 

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**Commoner:** 

*Why, sir, a carpenter.* 

 

**Explanation:**  

The commoner responds that he is a carpenter, indicating his trade and status in society.

 

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**Flavius:** 

*Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? 

What dost thou with thy best apparel on? 

You, sir, what trade are you?* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Flavius continues to scold the commoner for not wearing work attire and questions him about his presence in fine clothing instead of work clothes. This highlights the theme of social class.

 

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**(Another Commoner enters)**

 

**Second Commoner:** 

*A cobbler, sir. I am indeed a cobbler.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

The second commoner identifies himself as a cobbler (a shoemaker), further illustrating the working-class background of these characters.

 

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**Flavius:** 

*But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar and rejoice in his triumph.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

The second commoner explains that they are celebrating Caesar's triumphs, showing their loyalty to Caesar and foreshadowing the conflict that will arise from his rise to power.

 

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**Marullus:**  

*You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! 

O you hard hearts! You cruel men of Rome!* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Marullus expresses his disdain for the commoners' blind adoration of Caesar. He uses vivid imagery to criticize them for being unthinking followers.

 

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**Flavius:** 

*Go, go! You are not what you think you are; 

You are mere tools in Caesar's hands.*  

 

**Explanation:** 

Flavius tells the commoners that they are being used by Caesar and that their loyalty is misplaced. This reflects the theme of manipulation in politics.

 

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*(They discuss Caesar’s influence)*

 

**Marullus:** 

*If you do not cease your foolishness,*  

*I will take down your decorations.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Marullus threatens to remove the decorations celebrating Caesar’s triumph if the citizens do not stop their celebrations. This shows their discontent with Caesar’s growing power.

 

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*(The commoners disperse)*

 

**Flavius:** 

*Let us go home; we’ll see how he fares.*  

 

**Explanation:** 

Flavius concludes the scene by suggesting they leave and observe how Caesar's power develops. This sets up the tension between the conspirators and Caesar.

### Conclusion

In this opening scene of *Julius Caesar*, Shakespeare establishes the political climate of Rome and introduces key themes such as social class, loyalty, and manipulation. The interactions between Flavius, Marullus, and the commoners set the stage for the conflict surrounding Caesar’s rise to power and foreshadow the events that will unfold throughout the play.