Julius Caesar: Act 1, scene 1

The color-coded bars in this section make it easy to track the themes throughout the work. Each color corresponds to one of the themes explained in the Themes section of this LitChart. For instance, indicates that all five themes apply to that part of the summary.

Summary Analysis Themes

Two tribunes, Flavius and Murellus, encounter a Carpenter, Cobbler, and other plebeians, and ask them why they are dressed up in the streets instead of at work. The plebeians say they have come to cheer the great general Caesar’s triumph over the sons of his rival Pompey.

The commoners’ language is full of puns about their professions, indicating that they are solely concerned with personal tasks, rather than the worldly business of politics.

Murellus angrily reminds them that they once cheered Pompey the same way, and says the gods must be offended by their short memories.

The common people are easily persuaded, but their support is crucial for those in power..

Flavius and Murellus decide to split up and disperse more crowds, and to remove the laurel crowns from Caesar’s statues.

Establishes that many officials are concerned with Caesar getting too powerful.