Coriolanus

A proud Roman general returns from battle covered in glory, but his contempt for the common people turns the city against him. William Shakespeare's Coriolanus is a searing tragedy of politics, pride, and family loyalty, set in a Rome torn between patricians and plebeians. First printed in the 1623 First Folio, it remains one of Shakespeare's most penetrating studies of leadership and its limits.

This edition offers the complete text of the play, accompanied by a new introduction that sets Shakespeare's work in its historical and theatrical context. A character guide introduces the principal figures, from the unbending Caius Martius to his formidable mother Volumnia and his Volscian rival Aufidius. A clear summary of the plot, a discussion of major themes, and a glossary of unfamiliar words and phrases help readers navigate the play's language and ideas. Twelve discussion questions are included for book clubs, students, and anyone who wants to think more deeply about the play.

Whether you are reading Coriolanus for the first time or returning to it, the reading guide helps you appreciate Shakespeare's fierce poetry and unflinching political vision.