Julius Caesar – Act I, Scene III, Paraphrase & Glossary

 

Julius Caesar – Act I, Scene III

Rome. A street. Thunder and lightning. Casca enters with his sword drawn. Cicero enters from the opposite side.

CICERO:

Good evening, Casca. Did you bring Caesar home?

Why are you out of breath? And why are you staring like that?

CASCA:

Aren’t you shaken, when the whole earth trembles like it has lost its foundation?

O Cicero, I have seen storms before,

when the angry winds split the strong oak trees apart.

I’ve seen the ocean swell, rage, and foam,

rising up to join with the storm clouds.

But never until tonight—never until now—

have I seen such strange fire fall from heaven.

Either there’s a civil war raging in the heavens,

making the gods fight each other and send destruction,

or else the world has become too insolent and proud toward the gods,

and has angered them into sending us these warnings.

CICERO:

Why, did you see anything more wonderful than this?

CASCA:

Yes. A common slave—you know him well by sight—

held up his left hand, which flamed and burned like twenty torches joined together.

And yet, his hand was not hurt, not even scorched by the fire.

Besides, since I first drew my sword against the Capitol tonight,

I met a lion in the streets.

It just looked at me fiercely and went by,

without trying to attack me.

And I saw a crowd of terrified women,

who swore they had seen men all in flames,

walking up and down the streets.

And yesterday, the owl—

which is a night bird and a symbol of ill omen—

was hooting and shrieking in the marketplace at noon,

in the middle of the day.

When all these strange things happen together,

let no one say: “Oh, these things have natural causes.”

No! I believe these are signs of evil,

omens pointing to the dangers threatening our land.

CICERO:

Yes, these are strange times. But people often interpret events in their own way, no matter what the true meaning of the events themselves might be.

CASCA:

That’s true, for Antony even sent word to Caesar that he would be there tomorrow.

CICERO:

Good night, then, Casca. This disturbed, stormy sky is no fit weather to be walking under.

CASCA:

Farewell, Cicero.

(Cicero exits. Cassius enters.)

CASSIUS:

Who’s there?

CASCA:

A Roman.

CASSIUS:

Casca, I know your voice.

CASCA:

Well guessed, Cassius. But what a night this is!

CASSIUS:

Yes, a night very suitable for honest men—an excellent night!

CASCA:

But who has ever seen the heavens so threatening?

CASSIUS:

Those who have also seen the earth filled with faults.

As for me, I have been walking through the streets, exposing myself to the dangers of this storm. Look—see how I’ve loosened my robe, Casca? I even bared my chest to the thunderbolt, and when the blue forked lightning seemed to want to split open the sky, I stood right there in its path, daring it to strike me.

CASCA:

But why would you tempt the heavens like that? Isn’t it a man’s duty to fear and tremble when the powerful gods send us such terrifying warnings to amaze and frighten us?

CASSIUS

You’re slow, Casca. You lack the fire and spirit that a true Roman should have—or else you don’t use them. You look pale, staring like a frightened child, amazed by the strange anger of the heavens. But if you would think about the real cause of all these things—why there are flames in the sky, why ghosts glide about, why animals behave unnaturally, why old men act foolish and children speak like prophets, why all things change from their natural order into monstrous forms—you would realize that heaven has filled them with this spirit to be warnings of some monstrous political disaster.

I could, Casca, name to you a man who is very much like this dreadful night—who thunders, flashes, opens graves, and roars like a lion in the Capitol. A man no greater than you or I in personal strength, yet has become terrifying and unnatural, just as these strange events are.

CASCA

You mean Caesar, don’t you, Cassius?

CASSIUS

Let it be whoever it is. For Romans today still have bodies as strong as their ancestors, but sadly, their fathers’ courage and minds are gone. Instead, we are ruled with the weak spirit of our mothers. Our patience under tyranny makes us look womanish.

CASCA

Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow will declare Caesar king. And he shall wear his crown everywhere—by sea and land—except here in Italy.

✨ In short: Cassius is comparing the unnatural storms to Caesar’s rise in power. He suggests that nature itself is warning Rome of danger. Casca confirms the senators plan to make Caesar king, which deepens Cassius’s anger about Roman weakness.

CASSIUS:

I know where I’ll use this dagger—on myself. Cassius will free Cassius from slavery. In this way, gods, you make the weak stronger than tyrants: no tower, no brass wall, no dungeon, no iron chains can restrain the human spirit. When life becomes too heavy, it always has the power to end itself. If I know this, then let the whole world know: whatever part of Caesar’s tyranny I endure, I can cast it off whenever I wish.

CASCA:

So can I. Every slave carries in his own hand the power to free himself.

CASSIUS:

Then why should Caesar be a tyrant? Poor man! He wouldn’t be a wolf if the Romans weren’t such sheep. He wouldn’t be a lion if the Romans weren’t such timid deer. A great fire starts with weak straws—what trash, what rubbish Rome has become, when it fuels the rise of such a worthless thing as Caesar! But oh, sorrow, where have you led me? Maybe I’m saying all this to someone who accepts being a slave. If so, I know I’ll be held accountable. But I am ready—danger means nothing to me.

CASCA:

You’re speaking to Casca, a man who won’t betray you. Shake my hand. If you’re ready to join in fixing these wrongs, I will go just as far, and risk just as much, as the bravest man among us.

CASSIUS – The deal has already been made.

Now listen, Casca: I have convinced some of the noblest Romans to join me in this dangerous plan.

They are waiting for me right now at Pompey’s porch.

The weather tonight — so stormy and terrifying — matches the bloody and violent work we are about to do.

CASCA – Hide for a moment, here comes someone in a hurry.

CASSIUS – It’s Cinna. I can tell by the way he walks. He’s a friend.

(Enter Cinna)

Cinna, where are you rushing to?

CINNA – I was looking for you. Who’s that with you? Metellus Cimber?

CASSIUS – No, it’s Casca, one of us now. Tell me, Cinna, weren’t they waiting for me?

CINNA – Yes, they were. What a terrifying night this is! Two or three of us have seen strange, unnatural sights.

CASSIUS – But tell me — aren’t they waiting for me?

CINNA – Yes, they are. Oh Cassius, if only you could persuade the noble Brutus to join our side!

CASSIUS – Don’t worry, Cinna. Take this paper, and make sure you leave it on the praetor’s chair, where Brutus will see it. Throw this one in at his window. Fasten this one with wax to old Brutus’ statue. Once you’ve done all that, come back to Pompey’s porch — you’ll find us there.

Are Decius Brutus and Trebonius with them?

CINNA – Everyone’s there except Metellus Cimber. He went to look for you at your house.

Well then, I’ll hurry now and place these papers just as you told me.

CASSIUS – Good. Once that’s done, come to Pompey’s theatre.

(Exit Cinna)

CASSIUS – Now, Casca, before morning, you and I will go to Brutus at his house. Three-fourths of him already belongs to our cause, and at our next meeting he’ll be fully on our side.

CASCA – Oh, Brutus is so well loved by the people. What might seem a crime in us will, through his influence, look like honour and good purpose — as if turned into gold by the finest alchemy.

CASSIUS – Exactly. You’ve understood his value and our need of him perfectly. Come, let’s go. It’s already past midnight, and before daybreak we’ll wake him and make sure of his support.

(They exit)

Glossary for Act I, Scene III

General Setting

Thunder and lightning, stormy night – In Shakespeare, unnatural weather often symbolizes political chaos or divine anger. Here, the storm reflects the coming civil strife.

Key Words & Phrases

1. "Brought you Caesar home?" (Cicero) – Did you escort Caesar home?

2. "Are you not moved, when all the sway of earth / Shakes like a thing unfirm?" (Casca)

sway of earth = natural balance or control of the world.

unfirm = unstable, shaky.

Meaning: Aren’t you shaken when the whole earth trembles as if it’s falling apart?

3. "Either there is a civil strife in heaven, / Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, / Incenses them to send destruction." (Casca)

civil strife in heaven = gods fighting among themselves.

too saucy = too disrespectful, arrogant.

incenses = angers.

Meaning: Either the gods are at war, or humans have angered them.

4. "You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life / That should be in a Roman you do want." (Cassius)

dull = lacking spirit.

sparks of life = courage, energy.

do want = lack.

Meaning: You are lifeless, Casca; you don’t show the courage a true Roman should.

5. "Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts…" (Cassius)

fires = meteors, lightning.

gliding ghosts = spirits wandering.

Cassius interprets the omens as signs against tyranny.

6. "Let it be who it is; for Romans now / Have thewes and limbs like to their ancestors." (Cassius)

thewes = muscles, strength.

Meaning: Romans are still strong like their forefathers.

7. "Yoke and sufferance show us womanish." (Cassius)

yoke = slavery, burden.

sufferance = passive endurance.

womanish = weak, cowardly (in Roman male-dominated culture).

8. "There’s a bargain made." (Cassius)

Bargain = agreement among conspirators to assassinate Caesar.

9. "The complexion of the element / In favour’s like the work we have in hand." (Cassius)

complexion of the element = the look of the sky (stormy).

in favour’s like = resembles.

Meaning: The violent sky matches the bloody task we plan.

10. "I do know him by his gait." (Cassius, on Cinna)

gait = manner of walking.

11. "Am I not stay’d for?" (Cassius)

stay’d for = expected, waited for.

12. "Take this paper, / And look you lay it in the praetor’s chair…" (Cassius to Cinna)

praetor’s chair = official seat of Brutus as magistrate.

These are forged letters to convince Brutus that the people want him to oppose Caesar.

13. "Upon old Brutus’ statue." (Cassius)

Old Brutus = Lucius Junius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic, who expelled the last king. Associating Brutus with this ancestor pressures him to act.

14. "Three parts of him is ours already." (Cassius on Brutus)

Brutus is almost fully convinced to join them.

15. "His countenance, like richest alchemy, / Will change to virtue and to worthiness." (Casca)

countenance = reputation, character.

alchemy = magical science that claimed to turn base metal into gold.

Meaning: Brutus’ good name will make their bloody act appear noble.

16. "It is after midnight; and ere day / We will awake him and be sure of him." (Cassius)

ere day = before dawn.

be sure of him = secure Brutus’ commitment.

✨ Summary of Scene Meaning

The storm reflects Rome’s political unrest.

Casca sees the omens as terrifying, Cassius sees them as signs against Caesar’s tyranny.

Cassius convinces Casca and Cinna to join the conspiracy.

Cinna is sent to plant forged letters to sway Brutus.

Cassius and Casca plan to visit Brutus before dawn.

The conspirators understand Brutus’ reputation is the key: his support will make their assassination look like justice, not murder.

Courtesy: ChatGPT