Rome and Rhetoric

“Rome and Rhetoric is as entertainingly readable as it is broadly informative.”—John Simon, New York Times Book Review

~John Simon, New York Times Book Review

“This tour de force . . . shows why our view of ancient Rome is very much Shakespeare’s.”—Publishers Weekly

~Publishers Weekly

“Informed by Rome’s great rhetoricians, Wills scrutinizes the kinds of rhetoric employed by Caesar, Brutus, Antony, and Cassius in turn, showing how these disclose their characters. . . . [A] penetrating, provocative analysis.”—Booklist

~Booklist

"Rome and Rhetoric is a fascinating look at the way Shakespeare has shaped our view of ancient Rome through the characters of his Julius Caesar."—Philip Freeman, Author of Julius Caesar

~Philip Freeman

"[Wills] takes a creative approach to helping both novice and fluent readers of Shakespeare's plays understand particular cultural contexts and social mores of the Elizabethan period. . . . This book will be of particular value to those interested in immersing themselves in the traditions and values depicted in Julius Caesar."—T.J. Haskell, Choice

~T.J. Haskell, Choice