Julius Caesar summary and notes: 

Act 1 Scene 1: 

Flavius questions citizens about why they aren't at work. They said they were there to see Caesar- which was confusing to Flavius. Marullus was upset because Caesar attacked Pompey. Caesar and Pompey both have followers and they are almost like fighting political parties. These two create a political divide. It is a very controversial subject matter. Flavius and Marullus support Pompey, and the two citizens we see support Caesar. 

Act 1 Scene 2 

Caesar asks man in religious race to touch Calpurnia to make her fertile. March through July on 15th is religious and special day. Soothsayer says to beware the Ides of March and Caesar thinks he is crazy and thinks nothing of it. Cassius asks Brutus (they are friends) if he wanted wanted to go see the race, and Brutus doesn't want to. Cassius can tell that something is wrong. He is battling something internally/emotionally and Cassius tries to make him feel better. Cassius effectively lectures as to why he refuses to bow to Caesar. He believes that Caesar is nothing more than an ordinary person. If anything, he is feeble, weak, cowardly and over rated. He thinks that Caesar deserves no credit or praise.