The extract given below is from Act 1 scene (i) of the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

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English Literature Monthly Test Answer

Question 1 – Julius Caesar

The extract given below is from Act 1 scene (i) of the play ‘Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare. In this extract, two tribunes, Flavius and Marullus try and Flavius try to prevent the people of Rome, who are gathered in the streets from celebrating Caesar’s victory over Pompey and his sons, as well as the feast of Lupercal. This extract is also important because the character of Julius Caesar is introduced by a cobbler, who is a mere commoner in Rome.

In this extract, there are very few people speaking dialogues. We have Flavius and Marullus, the two tribunes, as well as two commoners. The two tribunes talk to the commoners, asking two what their professions are. The second commoner, does not answer directly, but uses the power of rhetoric to tell the tribunes what his work is, frustrating them. The conversation that follows is dominated by the tribunes. Flavius and Marullus then tell the commoners to go home, because they are not working, though it is a working day, and because they believe that there is nothing to celebrate, because a great general, Pompey has fallen. Marullus uses the power of rhetoric to convince the commoners of Rome, that by rejoicing in the victory of Caesar, they are making a horrible mistake, and are upsetting the gods. He also says that before, the commoners used to wait for Pompey, to watch him march into Rome, bringing with him another conquest, but now since Caesar has defeated him, they put on their best attire, and watch Caesar come into town. Flavius says that to prevent the gods from starting another plague, they must assemble all the commoners who have gathered like them, and go and cry in the banks of the river Tiber. After the commoners exit, Flavius then tells Marullus to go toward the Capitol and disrobe the images of Caesar. Marullus hesitates, as it is the feast of Lupercal, but Flavius insists on doing this, so that Caesar stops thinking that he great, and is above all the people of Rome.

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The extract is the opening scene of the play and fits this title very well. This extract foreshadows the important themes and issues that may come up in play, by introducing them, but very slightly. We see how powerful the tribunes are in Rome, because, the two tribunes, Flavius and Marullus, have command over the commoners, and have the ability to make sure that all their questions are answered. We also see that the power of rhetoric is used to great effect. The cobbler uses this power of rhetoric to confuse the tribunes as to what his art is. Since ...

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