Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Flavius and Marullus, two tribunes, stop some commoners in the street. They want to know why the people are not at work today. A cobbler tells them that the people have made today a holiday for themselves and are going see Caesar, who is returning to Rome victorious over Pompey. Marullus and Flavius condemn the people, who not long ago praised Pompey and clamoured to get a glimpse of him whenever they could. Marullus calls the people disloyal and tells them to go home and beg for forgiveness from the gods for their ingratitude. The commoners leave and Flavius suggests they make their way to the Capitol (one of the seven hills of Rome and the seat of the government) separately and break up any other groups of people on their way to praise Caesar.