Shakespeare's Rome: Republic and Empire

by Paul A. Cantor

For more than forty years, Paul Cantor’s Shakespeare’s Rome has been a foundational work in the field of politics and literature. While many critics assumed that the Roman plays do not reflect any special knowledge of Rome, Cantor was one of the first to argue that they are grounded in a profound understanding of the Roman regime and its changes over time. Taking Shakespeare seriously as a political thinker, Cantor suggests that his Roman plays can be profitably studied in the context of the classical republican tradition in political philosophy.           In Shakespeare’s Rome , Cantor examines the political settings of Shakespeare’s Roman plays, Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra , with references as well to Julius Caesar . Cantor shows that Shakespeare presents a convincing portrait of Rome in different eras of its history, contrasting the austere republic of Coriolanus , with its narrow horizons and martial virtues, and the cosmopolitan empire of Antony and Cleopatra , with its “immortal longings” and sophistication bordering on decadence.

Genres: Shakespeare

228 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1976

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary Analysis

Cantor analyzes Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra. He views the two plays as inciteful depiction of the the rise and fall of the Roman Republic, and views Shakespeare as a great political thinker. He references Aristotle, Plutarch, and Nietzsche to make his points. Anyone who wants to understand the Roman plays needs to read Cantor.

[Tac Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great exploration of Coriolanus and Anthony and Cleopatra in the context of the Rome that Shakespeare was writing about. Lots of interesting insights and especially in comparison to some of Shakespeare's other plays.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating study connecting the Bard to Plato, Aristotle, Polybius, Plutarch and Nietzsche -- argues that WS does not simply use Rome as a dramatic setting, but that Rome is a central theme in his thinking -- thus WS develops as profound a conception of Roman history as the historians of his day -- focused on Coriolanus and Antony -- Rome teaches a lesson concerning the two sides of human nature -- plebeian and noble -- and the attempt to bring them together.

[Corrinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights, although at time a bit too dry for my taste. Particularly like the second two chapters on Antony and Cleopatra. Questions of private relationships and public life, and the hollowing of traditions and customs, are quite relevant today, and it was interesting to see those connections.

[Victoria Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read relevant parts.