⇛ Act I of Julius Caesar is crucial for setting the stage for everything else that will occur in the play. Marullus and Flavius, two tribunes, appear in the opening scene. In essence, these men's job is to maintain law and order in the streets, much like police officers.

⇛ On a workday, when everyone should be hard at work at their occupations, they observe that there are a lot of people out and about in the streets. Flavius and Marullus think that this is suspicious.

⇛ Marullus walks over to a group of commoners and inquires about the situation. He specifically addresses a cobbler, or shoemaker. A funny interaction between the two happens as a misunderstanding about the word "cobbler" develops.

⇛ A cobbler is a shoemaker, but in Shakespeare's time, the term may also refer to a person who frequently made mistakes in their work. The cobbler finally admits that the people are in the streets to celebrate a recent victory of Julius Caesar when Marullus and the cobbler resolve this. It appears that Caesar has won a conflict against Pompey, another commander.

⇛ Marullus is enraged by this news. He chastises the commoners because they were just applauding Pompey. They appear to be oblivious to where their genuine loyalties lie or should lie. After the commoners have left, Marullus and Flavius walk through the streets of Rome, removing any decorations erected to commemorate Caesar's victory.

⇛ The play's focus moves to Caesar in Scene II. The Lupercal Feast is currently underway, and Caesar, his followers, and his wife have assembled to see the festivities. Caesar's pal Antony, in particular, is set to compete in a race.

⇛ Caesar instructs Antony to touch his wife, Calpurnia, as he races past because it is good luck for a runner in the race to touch a woman who wishes to have children, according to local superstition. It's intriguing that Caesar, who has just recently taken power, is already concerned about securing his authority through a successor.

⇛ Following this, a soothsayer approaches Caesar and warns him to "beware the Ides of March," or March 15. Caesar dismisses the warning. However, this is significant foreshadowing--a portent of what is to come later in the play.

⇛ The scene quickly shifts to two more individuals, Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius. Brutus is a senator, a long-time friend of Caesar, and a well-known Roman leader. Cassius is a general who has known Caesar for a long time. The two men have a lengthy talk.

⇛ Cassius, in particular, has noticed that Brutus has not been acting like himself, and he attempts to persuade Brutus to tell him what has been upsetting him. At one point, they hear yelling, and Brutus expresses his fear that the people have made Caesar king.

⇛ This is precisely the information Cassius requires, and he correctly concludes that Brutus is concerned that Caesar has gained too much power.

⇛ Cassius then begins a series of lectures aimed at turning Brutus against Caesar. He informs Brutus that Caesar is a weak man, and that the weight of Brutus' name may compel people to follow him just as fervently as Caesar's.

⇛ The action switches back to Caesar and his supporters for a brief conversation. Caesar informs Antony that he believes Cassius to be a dangerous individual who thinks excessively. Caesar, however, who is always self-assured, claims that he is only making an observation and that he does not personally fear Cassius.

⇛ The scene turns back to Cassius and Brutus, who had approached a guy named Casca to inquire about the yelling. Casca informs them that Caesar was offered the throne three times but declined each time.

⇛ Caesar collapsed and suffered a seizure as a result of his refusal. Despite this public exhibition of physical weakness, the crowd appeared to love him even more.

⇛ After that, Casca and Brutus leave the stage, leaving Cassius all by himself. A soliloquy is a speech a character delivers on stage when they are by themselves and are meant to disclose their inner thoughts. Cassius delivers a soliloquy.

⇛ He admits that he is aware that he will have to put in a lot of effort to win over Brutus. In order for him to succeed in his intentions to overthrow Caesar, he needs Brutus to perceive Caesar as a potential threat.

⇛ Cassius intends to deliver numerous letters to Brutus in secret. These letters will appear to be from the people, pleading for Brutus to take action against the all-powerful Caesar. More than anything else, Cassius is aware that Brutus will act in the interests of the larger community.

⇛ Cassius and Casca meet in the final scene of the Act while weird things unfold in Rome. Casca claims that a storm has been "dropping fire," and that he witnessed a man on fire, despite the fact that he did not burn. At noon, an owl--a night bird--was heard shrieking, and a lion was sighted roaming the streets.

⇛ Casca believes that these are all evidence that the gods are upset about something. Cassius, on the other hand, believes that Caesar's rise to power has enraged the gods. Casca informs Cassius that the senators intend to declare Caesar king.

⇛ Cassius launches on a diatribe against Caesar, claiming that he has grown far too powerful. Casca concurs with him. Cassius informs Casca that he has already persuaded some important Romans to form a plot against Caesar.

⇛ Cinna, another conspirator, enters the scene. Cassius hands over the misleading letters he has written to Cinna and directs him to distribute them to locations where Brutus will undoubtedly find them.

⇛ Cassius believes that gaining Brutus on board with the conspiracy is critical because Brutus is a well-known and respected leader in Rome. Having him on their side will give the conspiracy credence.