Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 3

 

Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 3

**(Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca and Cicero)**

 

**Cicero:** 

*Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home? 

Why are you breathless? And why stare you so?* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Cicero greets Casca and inquires about Caesar, noticing that Casca appears shaken and breathless. This sets a tense atmosphere, hinting at the unusual events occurring that night.

 

---

 

**Casca:** 

*Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth 

Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, 

I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds 

Have rived the knotty oaks; and I have seen 

The ambitious ocean swell like mountains, 

And yet I never saw the heavens so angry, 

And the sky on fire with the angry gods.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Casca expresses his fear about the unnatural occurrences in the sky, suggesting that they signify divine anger. He compares these events to past storms he has witnessed, emphasizing their severity.

 

---

 

**Cicero:** 

*Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time. 

But men may construe things after their fashion, 

Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Cicero acknowledges the strangeness of the times but warns that people often interpret events according to their biases rather than their true meaning. This reflects on human nature and foreshadows misinterpretations.

 

---

 

**Casca:** 

*But men may construe things after their fashion, 

Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Casca echoes Cicero's sentiment about people's tendency to misinterpret signs based on personal beliefs or fears.

 

---

 

**(Enter Cassius)**

 

**Cassius:** 

*You are too fat; I am not. I will not be your friend.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Cassius enters and immediately engages with Casca, indicating their familiarity. This line is a bit humorous and sets a more casual tone amidst the tension.

 

---

 

**Casca:** 

*I can tell you more news too; I can tell you news.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Casca claims he has more news to share, suggesting that important events are unfolding in Rome that require attention.

 

---

 

**Cassius:** 

*What can be more news than this?* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Cassius challenges Casca to share his news, indicating curiosity about what he has to say regarding current events.

 

---

 

**Casca:** 

*A lion hath whelped in the Capitol; 

And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead; 

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 

In ranks and squadrons, and right form of war,* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Casca describes several ominous signs he has witnessed: a lion giving birth in the Capitol, open graves releasing corpses, and ghostly warriors battling in the sky. These images emphasize chaos and foreboding.

 

---

 

**Cicero:** 

*And I do know by this, they stay for me.* 

 

**Explanation:** 

Cicero implies that these signs are waiting for him to interpret them correctly or perhaps that he is expected elsewhere. His calm demeanor contrasts with Casca's fear.

 

---

 

*(They discuss Caesar's growing power)*

 

**Cassius:**  

*And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?*  

*Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,*  

*But that he sees the Romans are but sheep.*  

 

**Explanation:**  

Cassius questions why Caesar should be considered a tyrant if he is merely taking advantage of weak Romans. He uses animal imagery to depict Romans as submissive sheep under Caesar's rule.

 

---

 

*(They plot against Caesar)*

 

**Cassius:**  

*Those that with haste will make a mighty fire  

Begin it with weak straws.*  

 

**Explanation:**  

Cassius suggests that even small actions (like weak straws) can lead to significant outcomes (a mighty fire), hinting at how they might incite rebellion against Caesar.

 

---

 

**Casca:**  

*I will set this foot of mine as far  

As who goes farthest.*  

 

**Explanation:**  

Casca expresses his willingness to take bold action against Caesar's tyranny. This shows his commitment to join Cassius in opposing Caesar.

 

---

 

*(They plan to recruit Brutus)*

 

**Cassius:**  

*Come, Casca; you and I will yet ere day  

See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him  

Is ours already; and the man entire,*  

 

**Explanation:**  

Cassius proposes they visit Brutus to secure his support for their conspiracy against Caesar. He believes Brutus is already sympathetic to their cause.

 

---

 

### Conclusion

In Act 1, Scene 3 of *Julius Caesar*, Shakespeare uses supernatural omens and dark imagery to set an ominous tone as Casca describes strange occurrences in Rome. The scene highlights themes of fear, manipulation, and conspiracy as Cassius seeks to recruit Brutus into their plot against Caesar. The dialogue illustrates the characters' motivations and foreshadows the political turmoil that will unfold throughout the play.