A convict in the penal colony who hails from Madagascar. Caesar is never officially cast in The Recruiting Officer, but he decides that he simply must be involved. After initially running away with Arscott and Kable, he decides to turn back, at which point he goes to Ralph’s first rehearsal and declares that he’ll play a servant. And though Ralph doesn’t like this idea, Caesar refuses to leave, ultimately making his way into the final performance.
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Black Caesar Character Timeline in Our Country’s Good
The timeline below shows where the character Black Caesar appears in Our Country’s Good. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act One, Scene Eleven
...Sideway to continue the scene. Not long after they resume, a convict known as Black Caesar arrives and begs Ralph to include him in the play, saying that he’s seen multiple...
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“Caesar!” Ross shouts, noticing the convict amongst the actors. “He started going with them and came...
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Act Two, Scene One
Having been placed in chains, Liz, Wisehammer, Arscott, and Caesar sit next to each other as Liz relates her life story. She speaks about her...
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...Liz doesn’t think returning is worth it, but Wisehammer wants desperately to go back. Similarly, Caesar wants to return to Madagascar to “join [his] ancestors.” Interrupting, Arscott says, “There’s no escape!”...
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Act Two, Scene Five
Major Ross and Captain Campbell escort Caesar, Wisehammer, and Liz to the second rehearsal of The Recruiting Officer. All of them except...
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Act Two, Scene Eleven
Ralph comes backstage and gives last-minute directorial advice to the actors before realizing that Caesar is missing. As Arscott goes looking for him, Ralph gives Duckling his condolences and tells...
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Caesar tells Ralph that he can’t act because his ancestors will be “angry” with him for...
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