The opening scene serves to indicate the feelings of Romans towards Caesar. While Caesar is popular with the crowd, he has enemies among the official classes. The tribunes are on the patrician side - the side that supported Pompey and are hostile to the faction which is in favour of retaining Caesar in his place as Dictator of Rome. The tribunes, Flavius and Marullus ask the commoners why they were not at work. A cobbler answers their questions in riddles. The cobbler says that the crowd is out to welcome Caesar back to Rome. Marullus accuses them of forgetting their hero, Pompey. Flavius and Marullus leave to clamp down on any celebrations.

Act 1, Scene 2

Caesar and his followers appear for the feast of Lupercal. Anthony was dressed to take part in the run. Caesar urges his childless wife, Calphurnia, to stand in Anthony's way. Caesar is...