Journal+about+Rome's+atmosphere

__Journal" Act 1, Scene 1-Analyze Opening Scene__

Shakespeare chooses to depict the unsettling, tense atmosphere of Rome instead of Julius Caesar himself to introduce a major conflict in the play that contrasts Caesar's views of political power and ideas versus the senators' beliefs. it heavily reflects the dived city, and thus the fights that must occur later. The senators are clearly bothered by Caesar's reign and continuously call the common people, "idle creatures"(1.1.11)., "the vulgar"(1.1.5), and "blocks... [s]tones...[s]enseless things"(1.1.40), believing that plebeians are stupid, worthless, and severely below them in all attributes. It's similar to how the Marquis in ATOTC felt when he refers to the people as vermin, and appears to believe they are an entire different species. Due to the names the politicians use, they seem to believe they are divine and should have more rights, wealth, and power. Since Caesar believed in rights for the lower classes, and Pompey supported the aristocracy, the peasants are extremely convivial whereas the politicians are fearful about their status. They are already distressed about the new rule of Caesar, and he hasn't even made any changes or reforms yet. Shakespeare stresses the rising tensions between the upper classes and Caesar to foreshadow the imminent chaos and bloodshed. The politicians are more concerned with losing their power than with the state of Rome. It doesn't matter if Caesar actually improves Rome because they are obsessed with their own titles and lives. After the peasant leave, Flavius comments, [w]ho else would soar above the view of men and keep us all in servile fearfulness"(1.1.80). The politicians most likely fear Caesar's immense military power, and believe there is a high probability they could be executed similar to the old triumvirate They also think Caesar is to ambitious and puts himself above everyone else. Pomepy may have subjugated the peasants, but Caesar will subjugate the aristocracy. They need to protect their power and will destroy anything in their way to keep it. Caesar will not turn them into servile, senseless objects like the peasants were under Pompey.