Introduction: Visions of Rome in Shakespeare

This introduction draws attention to the fact that Shakespeare’s Roman world, while having a distinct identity largely built on the characters’ striving to achieve and maintain virtus, is simultaneously inflected with manifold different attitudes towards a broad range of issues that are open to a wide array of possible “visions” both inside the dramatic world and outside of it, in the realm of criticism. The introduction then quickly surveys the main critical contributions concerning Shakespeare’s engagement with romanitas, especially focusing on the upsurge of studies about Shakespeare and Rome that has characterized the past few years.