Question

The commoners or the Roman mob.

Answer 1

The commoners in Julius Caesar are shown as fickle, emotional and easily influenced. In Act I, they quickly shift their loyalty from Pompey to Caesar.

After Caesar’s death, they first support Brutus because they are convinced by his logical speech. Soon afterwards, Antony appeals to their emotions and turns them completely against the conspirators.

Their behaviour becomes violent and irrational when they kill Cinna the poet simply because he has the same name as Cinna the conspirator.

Thus, Shakespeare presents the Roman mob as unstable and easily swayed by powerful speakers. Their actions show the dangers of uncontrolled crowd emotion.