The Soothsayer cautions him to 'beware the Ides of March'. In the next scene, Caesar enters a public square with a group of his generals, and his wife, Calpurnia and a Soothsayer.

He insists that if they can control the popular opinion of Caesar they can control him, himself. Murellus reminds the citizens that they used to glory in the triumphs of Pompey and now they celebrate it's defeat. Murellus scolds the citizens for their disloyalty and orders them to leave.Once alone, Flavius tells Murellus to go to the Capitol and remove any crowns that had been placed by the citizens on the statues of Caesar. The cobbler informs him that he is taking a holiday so that he can celebrate, watching the parade and Caesar's procession through the city. Admonishing the cobbler for his folly, Murellus asks him what real significance Caesar's victory actually has, insinuating that, since it did not involve conquering a foreign foe it did not add to the great glory of Rome.

Murellus grows angry with the cobbler but Flavius interrupts to ask the cobbler why he is not working. One of the men celebrating is a cobbler and Murellus begins talking to him, misinterpreting the cobblers sarcastic replies as serious. Two tribunes, Flavius and Murellus enter the street and mockingly tell the citizens to get back to work.

The play opens with a group of Roman citizens in the street celebrating General Caesar's victory over the city of Pompey at the battle of Munda. The plot to assassinate Caesar, his death and the fierce battle that was waged over his death are all detailed within the play and many of Shakespeare's most famous invented phrases are included. The story of the play is the story of the death of the Roman statesman and general Julius Caesar in 44 BC.

Julius caesar william shakespeare book