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Thunder and lightning fill the sky one evening. Casca and Cicero are walking along a street when they run into each other. Cicero sees that something is wrong with Casca and he asks him what is going on. Casca remarks on how he’s seen many storms in his days, however, he has never seen a storm like this. Not until this day has he seen fire fall from the sky during a storm. He believes that either there’s a civil war going on in the heavens above, or somebody has really made the gods angry.
Cicero asks Casca if he has seen any other weird things going on. Casca indeed has had an eye-full of weird occurrences this evening: he saw a slave with his left hand on fire; he saw a lion walking around the Capitol; and he saw a nocturnal bird earlier hooting and shrieking during the day time. He also spoke to women who say they observed men doused in flames walking about the Roman streets. Casca believes that these are all bad omens of something that is to come.
Cicero remarks on how the weather is strange; however, he believes men can interpret what they see in any way they want.
Cicero asks Casca if Caesar is going to the Capitol the next day. Casca confirms that he is, and then they say their goodbyes.
Casca is left on his own until Cassius shows up. Casca remarks on how weird of a night it is. Cassius says that it’s a good night for honest men. Cassius states that he has been walking about without fear of being hit by lightning. He, in fact, has left himself open and vulnerable to a lightning strike that the gods might hurl at him, yet he has been left untouched.
Casca, then, questions Cassius’ reasoning. He doesn’t know why Cassius would tempt the gods in such a manner.
Cassius says that the gods are probably showering Rome with such a storm because the bright future of Rome is at stake.
Casca immediately understands that Cassius is referring to Caesar’s ambitions. Cassius responds by saying that Romans have disbanded their forefather’s prospects. Instead, Romans are acting with cowardice by allowing a powerful dictator to seep through. Casca reaffirms these beliefs by saying that tomorrow the senate will establish Caesar as king.
Cassius holds up his dagger and says that with this in hand he can fight against the slavery that tyranny brings. Casca agrees with him and says that every slave has the power in their own hands to earn their own freedom.
Next, Cassius compares Caesar to a wolf who sees the Romans as his sheep. He remarks that is the Romans who have allowed Caesar to gain this perception of them. Cassius doesn’t understand how the Romans have given Caesar the power to burn so bright.
Cassius, then, states that he is perhaps speaking too openly to a person who might be willing to be oppressed by Caesar. Casca retorts that he is not willing to be oppressed. Casca offers Cassius his hand and offers him his loyalty. He will support Cassius in any endeavor to stop Caesar from becoming king.
Cassius lets Casca in on the fact that he has gotten other senators together who are willing to conspire against Caesar. The other conspirators have all planned to gather at the entrance of Pompey’s theater tonight. He then compares their bloody, fiery undertaking to the storm that is brewing tonight.
JULIUS CAESAR -- ACT I, 3
Their conversation is interrupted by Cinna. Cinna has come to let Cassius know that the other conspirators have gotten together and are awaiting his arrival.
Cinna remarks how nice it would be if Brutus were to also join them. Cassius lets Cinna know that he shouldn’t worry. He asks Cinna to go drop off a forged letter at Brutus’ house. He asks him to use wax to stick it to a statue that Brutus has on his windowsill. Cinna complies. He leaves and will meet with the group upon his return.
Cassius lets Casca know that by dawn tomorrow Brutus will be on their side. Casca remarks on how well-liked Brutus is by the public. He knows that no matter what the conspirators do, it will be okay with the people of Rome just as long as Brutus sides with them. Cassius agrees with Casca. Cassius knows that with Brutus’ worthiness and nobility on their side, they can do no wrong in the public’s eyes.
The two depart together. It is already after midnight and tomorrow they need to go visit Brutus in the early morning to make sure that he will join them.
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BROWSE CONTENTS
by William Shakespeare
