Question

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of Julius Caesar.

[CASSIUS.] Now know you, Casca, I have moved already
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
To undergo with me an enterprise
Of honourable dangerous consequence.
And I do know by this, they stay for me
In Pompey’s Porch. For now this fearful night
There is no stir or walking in the streets;
And the complexion of the element
In favour’s like the work we have in hand,
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.

What impact does the storm have on the plot?

causes the conspirators to move up their plan
makes Cassius more confident about what he has in mind
provides time to mourn Pompey’s death

Answer 1

The first two are correct; the third is not.

- The storm keeps people off the streets so the conspirators can meet in Pompey’s Porch: “For now this fearful night / There is no stir or walking in the streets; / And … they stay for me In Pompey’s Porch.”
- It also reinforces Cassius’s resolve—he reads the violent weather as an omen that fits their “most bloody, fiery, and most terrible” plan, making him more confident about acting.
- It does not provide time to mourn Pompey’s death; Pompey’s death is earlier background, and the storm’s effect is to enable the plot, not to inspire mourning.