The Wide Arch: Roman Values in Shakespeare

This is an exploration not only of the Roman plays themselves, but of Roman values in Shakespeare's work generally, putting Shakespeare's "Roman" thinking into its Tudor (and Renaissance) context. The book discusses the "idea" of Rome, its aura and mystique, looking particularly at the controversial portrayal of "Julius Caesar", and examines other themes such as Roman attitudes towards patriotism, kinship, master-servant relationships, custom and precedent, friendship, chastity, suicide, faithfulness and love. The book seeks to explain what Rome meant to Shakespeare and argues that its influence is pervasive throughout many areas of his work.