'Unable to rely on heaven, we look to Shakespeare as a contemporary conscience' Peter Conrad

Coriolanus, a famed warrior turned politician, is driven from Rome as a traitor when he arrogantly speaks out against popular rule and loses the good will of the starving people. Banished and embittered, he allies himself with his former enemies and begins to plot a merciless revenge on Rome. Shakespeare's politically ambiguous late tragedy of a great soldier who fails to be a great leader questions the notion of heroism and what power really means.

Used and Recommended by the National Theatre

General Editor Stanley Wells
Edited by G. R. Hibbard
Introduction by Paul Prescott

Coriolanus, a famed warrior turned politician, is driven from Rome as a traitor when he arrogantly speaks out against popular rule and loses the good will of the starving people. Banished and embittered, he allies himself with his former enemies and begins to plot a merciless revenge on Rome.


About the Author

William Shakespeare was born some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1616. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Stanley Wells is Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham and Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Paul Prescott is Associate Professor (Reader) at the University of Warwick.

G. R. Hibbard taught at the Universities of Nottingham and Waterloo, Canada.

Book Information
ISBN 9780141396453
Author William Shakespeare
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 224g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 17mm