Act+1+Character+Analysis

 =**__More in Depth Character Analysis in Act I__ **= = =  Flavius and Marrulus- elected officials who start to question the plebians. They say that they once cheered for Caesar, Pompey, and now they cheer against Caesar. They are both exiled for removing decorations from Caesars statue during Caesar's Parade. [1]

Julius Caesar- Caesar enters the scene by calling for Calpurnia. He introduces Calpurnia to Antony who is the best runner racing in the race and who is one of Caesar most loyal friends. It is said that if Antony touches Calpurnia, then she will become pregnant. He says this because back in Elizabethan Times, they believed if a runner touches a infernal, she will become pregant. Caesar is warned by a Soothsayer to "be ware the ides of March." (March 15th) Since Caesar believes he "intouchable" he ignores this threats as well as many others that come along later in the story. In this act we begin to see the hubris that Caesar contains. His ignorance and cockiness ends up being his downfall. [2]

Brutus- Brutus is a strong believer in the Roman Government of Democracy. His family has a history of being strong believes of Democracy and will do anything to keep Rome a Democracy. He is very loyal toward Caesar, but does have a few doubts in the back of his mind. Brutus opposes the idea of a single man being in charge of Rome and starts to believe Caesar is gaining to much power. Cassius approaches Brutus and tries to manipulate him to join the uprising against Caesar. Since Brutus has so much love for Rome and democracy, he is easily swayed to joining the conspirators, the people against Julius Caesar, and later will end murdering him, there is about twenty of them. Brutus ends up being the only one of the conspirators who does not act out of envy and that truly believes Caesar's death will be in best interest for Rome and the Roman people.

[3]

 **Casca-** Casca believes that Caesar is becoming too powerful. He is there when Caesar is offered the "crown" three times and all three times Caesar declines it. Casca believes that Caesar is just acting and is trying to fool the crowd into thinking he has no self want for the crown and power. Toward the end of the chapter, Casca says that he sees many evil events happen such as fire coming out a slaves hands and men on fire. Casca is starting to believe that bad events will happen to Rome if Caesar is not killed. He is easily persuaded and doesn't think much before acting. **Marc Antony [5] ** = **Marc Antony**- Was a Roman politician and General. Antony was also involved in the footrace in which he touched Calpurnia prior to entry to "cure" her of her infertility. Antony is thought of as "only a soldier" and is often considered dumb. He plays a major role in the story; he also greatly helps add to the "who's right" and "who's wrong" question that the story lets you answer. He was an important supporter and the best friend of Gaius Julius Caesar as a military commander and administrator, being Caesar's second cousin, once removed, by his mother Julia Antonia. [6] = =  **Calphurnia-** Caesars wife. We do not see much of Calpurnia in this chapter except for at the begging in the race scene. She later has dreams about Caesar's death and begged Caesar to not go to the senate house he day he was murdered. She was one of the many people who forwarned Caesar of his downfall. =

[7]

She is the wife of Brutus, but feels as if he thinks of her as less. She feels that she has no say in her relationship with Brutus. When she thinks of their relationship, she thinks of herself as Brutus' prostitute, not a wife. She tries to take action and get involved with Brutus and his problems, yet he doesn't include her. Later in the story we find out that she wants Brutus to have trust him over anything. The desire for this trust is so great that she even stabs herself in the leg to get Brutus to think "she can handle" the truth. She committed suicide by swallowing hot coals due to her feelings of isolation and neglect brought upon by Brutus' secret life.
 * Portia-** She was the daughter of Marcus Porcius Cato Uticencis and his first wife Atilia.

Bibliography: 1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. http://www.mrdowling.com/images/702augustus.jpg 6.http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/images/Portia.JPG