G10U5_ST_Shakespeare I_96-99.fm Page 96 Monday, October 13, 2008 5:19 PM
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act I, by William Shakespeare
Literary Analysis: Shakespeare’s Tragedies
Like other tragedies, Shakespeare’s tragedies are plays that tell of a reversal of fortune,
from good to bad, experienced by a man or woman, usually of noble birth. In Shakespeare’s
tragedies, the character and actions of the hero, rather than fate, play the strongest role in
bringing about the hero’s downfall.
Act I of a Shakespearean tragedy typically introduces the main characters, the setting, and
the conflict that the hero will confront in the rest of the play. Shakespeare uses dialogue to let
us know, in a dramatic way, what is going on as the play begins.
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions to summarize what you learn from Act I of The
Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
1. In Act I, Scene i, lines 33–53, what do you learn about the conflict that has already
occurred between Pompey and Caesar?
2. In Act I, Scene i, lines 33–75, what do you learn about how Flavius and Marullus feel about
Caesar’s return?
3. What do you learn about Caesar’s character from his behavior in the following situations in
Act I, Scene ii?
A. the soothsayer’s warning (lines 18–25):
B. his description of Cassius (lines 192–214):
C. his reaction to being offered the crown (lines 234–275):
4. What do you learn about the characters of Cassius and Brutus in Act I, Scene ii?
5. How does the dialogue between Cassius and Brutus in Act I, Scene ii, establish the conflict
that will drive the rest of the play?
Unit 5 Resources: Drama
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