Book Review: I, Claudius by Robert Graves

Having studied Greek and Roman literature for an entire term, I have been craving some fiction that could transport me to these times – albeit without the ancient language or dry non-fiction accounts. Yet as someone who has not delved into much historical fiction before, I found it incredibly difficult to find a somewhat credible, yet entertaining read. Then a friend suggested I read the classic piece of historical fiction: I, Claudius by Robert Graves.

The title is somewhat deceptive, as the story does not actually revolve around the rule of Claudius, but rather recounts the events leading up to his accession to the Roman throne, through his perspective. Claudius is an interesting choice for a narrator: as a stammering cripple, he’s no ordinary fictional hero. I’d like to say that his physical hindrances are made up for by a clear moral integrity, but this is not entirely the case. Within the context of his family, Claudius is quite sane, smart and well, a lot nicer then the rest. But, perhaps wisely, he never really attempts to act out against the inequalities and brutalities that surround him on a day-to-day basis. He is, rather, a reclusive historian, recording the events around him dispassionately. Perhaps it would have been slightly incongruous within the setting, to have a moralizing hero, amidst the excesses and grotesque habits of the royal family. Graves’ choice of narration – a contemporaneous mock first-person history – is also a clever one, as Claudius never has to go into minute detail, describing the day-to-day lives of his subjects. His portrait is made with broad brushstrokes, with wide leaps in narrative and time, allowing Graves to take great liberties with history.

Overall, the narrative is engaging, despite becoming repetitively brutal and nonsensical towards the end. There seems to be no respite from the evils of the all-powerful, over-privileged ruling class, as the novel continually ups its perverse ante. Starting with the rule of Augustus and the behind-the-scenes machinations of his wife Livia, which already raise eyebrows and provide conflict, the novel only descends further into debauchery through the rule of Tiberius, and finally crazy Caligula. The latter is such a ridiculously unjust and cruel ruler, that these passages almost seem comic. Caligula is presented as a man who has forever stayed in the happy years of his childhood, playing pretend by acting like a God and waging pretend-wars against the sea. Yet this childlike manner is coupled with an immense bloodthirst and unchecked power, which together create the ultimate villain. The physically weak, but mentally sharp Claudius does not really provide an antithesis to this obscene villainy, yet we empathize with him and cheer him on in his attempts to evade death.

After an entire novel devoted to villains, it remains to be seen whether the sequel to I, Claudius provides a proportionate counterpoint in the hero, Claudius.

Buy the book online here. 

See other reviews of the book on Goodreads.