The scene opens with a soliloquy in which Caius tells the audience that he has come to test his claim to the throne. He tells them that he is competing with Caius for the title of emperor, and that his challengers are trying to force him to abdicate. Caius asks the audience to imagine what it would be like if he were forced to abdicate, and the audience imagines that Caius has found an actress to play the role of an empress.