In Julius Caesar’s first scene, Marullus and Flavius interrupt a group of celebrating commoners. Marullus first interrogates them, likely in an attempt to both intimidate and glean information. His questions about their trades are meant to shame them into returning to work. They are not supposed to “walk / Upon a labouring day without the sign/ Of [their] profession.”
The two men are especially displeased because of the reason for the celebrations. The workers admit that they “make holiday, / to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.” Marullus, clearly displeased with the political situation, berates them with a series of questions. He first asks why they are celebrating, since he has not brought home trophies: “What conquest brings he home?”
Marullus proceeds to question, “Knew you not Pompey?” asking if they remember straining and cheering to see Pompey, not Caesar, in his chariot. Now that Caesar has defeated Pompey, why are they suddenly so happy about his death? He asks, “And do you now strew flowers in his way / That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?”
The message is a powerful reminder to the people of Rome, and the crowd soon disbands. Marullus and Flavius take down decorations meant to honor Caesar, and for this, as Casca later reports, they “are put to silence.”
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