Our Country’s Good

by

Timberlake Wertenbaker

A convict in the penal colony who hails from Madagascar. Caesar is never officially cast in The Recruiting Officer, but he decides that he simply must be involved. After initially running away with Arscott and Kable, he decides to turn back, at which point he goes to Ralph’s first rehearsal and declares that he’ll play a servant. And though Ralph doesn’t like this idea, Caesar refuses to leave, ultimately making his way into the final performance.
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Black Caesar Character Timeline in Our Country’s Good

The timeline below shows where the character Black Caesar appears in Our Country’s Good. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act One, Scene Eleven
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
...Sideway to continue the scene. Not long after they resume, a convict known as Black Caesar arrives and begs Ralph to include him in the play, saying that he’s seen multiple... (full context)
Punishment and Rehabilitation Theme Icon
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
Caesar!” Ross shouts, noticing the convict amongst the actors. “He started going with them and came... (full context)
Act Two, Scene One
Punishment and Rehabilitation Theme Icon
Governance and Justice Theme Icon
Guilt, Regret, and Forgiveness Theme Icon
Having been placed in chains, Liz, Wisehammer, Arscott, and Caesar sit next to each other as Liz relates her life story. She speaks about her... (full context)
Punishment and Rehabilitation Theme Icon
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
...Liz doesn’t think returning is worth it, but Wisehammer wants desperately to go back. Similarly, Caesar wants to return to Madagascar to “join [his] ancestors.” Interrupting, Arscott says, “There’s no escape!”... (full context)
Act Two, Scene Five
Punishment and Rehabilitation Theme Icon
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
Governance and Justice Theme Icon
Major Ross and Captain Campbell escort Caesar, Wisehammer, and Liz to the second rehearsal of The Recruiting Officer. All of them except... (full context)
Act Two, Scene Eleven
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
Love, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Guilt, Regret, and Forgiveness Theme Icon
Ralph comes backstage and gives last-minute directorial advice to the actors before realizing that Caesar is missing. As Arscott goes looking for him, Ralph gives Duckling his condolences and tells... (full context)
Theater, Liberation, and Unity Theme Icon
Caesar tells Ralph that he can’t act because his ancestors will be “angry” with him for... (full context)