The original ancient texts which inspired Shakespeare to greatness! There are scores of books about Shakespeare's use of sources - the classical plots he swiped as templates on which to hang his immortal drama and poetry, the historical narratives and propaganda he studied to form his History plays, the current events which helped to shape the most beloved plays ever performed. But although of great interest to scholars, this is not an academic study, nor a lengthy deconstruction of the playwright's texts - MUSES OF FIRE is a fresh anthology, bringing new life to the original ancient texts which sat on William Shakespeare's shelves, fuelling his creative muse and reaching unimagined levels of global, lasting fame, retold again and again. This is a 21st century celebration of the oldest forms of some of the greatest plots in history, complete with a new authoritative and entertaining Introduction by historian and performer JF Roberts.