Coriolanus - Softcover

William Shakespeare

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141396458 ISBN 13: 9780141396453

Publisher: Penguin Books, 2015

Synopsis

A gripping historical tragedy, set during the turbulent period just before the establishment of the Roman Republic, William Shakespeare's Coriolanus is edited by G.R. Hibbard with an introduction by Paul Prescott in Penguin Shakespeare. 'Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, And so shall starve with feeding' A peerless general is offered the consulship of Rome after his triumph over the city of Corioles. Too proud to respect the will of the people, however, he soon finds himself despised by the mob, and speaks out passionately against popular rule. Driven from the city as a traitor, he allies himself with his old enemies and begins to plot a merciless revenge. Adapted into an acclaimed film directed by Ralph Feinnes and starring Gerard Butler and Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus is a brilliant adaptation of historical events from Plutarch's Lives, bringing to life all the power and glory of Ancient Rome. This book includes a general introduction to Shakespeare's life and the Elizabethan theatre, a separate introduction to Coriolanus, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen, and a commentary. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He wrote about 38 plays (the precise number is uncertain), many of which are regarded as the most exceptional works of drama ever produced, including Romeo and Juliet (1595), Henry V (1599), Hamlet (1601), Othello (1604), King Lear (1606) and Macbeth (1606), as well as a collection of 154 sonnets, which number among the most profound and influential love-poetry in English. If you enjoyed Coriolanus, you might like Julius Caesar, also available in Penguin Shakespeare. 'Coriolanus is a loner, a star: a great warrior, not a

About this title

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.

From AudioFile:

On the Italian peninsula, the patrician mama's boy Coriolanus, victorious in battle, loses an election when he insults the Roman plebs. But he is not content to finance a conqueror; he himself marches with the invaders. Apparently having a low opinion of politicians and politics, Shakespeare filled this well-wrought political drama with rather unpleasant characters. This is not a perfect mounting. The players, all Brits, are uneven. Some judicious editing would have helped orient the sightless listener. The music choices are downright odd. And near the end, some actors deliver speeches without a clue to their meaning. Ah, but the virtues! This is a brisk, lean, vigorous production beautifully recorded–living theater in the finest sense. One hears not only the poetry and drama of the Bard, but the showmanship. The emphasis is on clarity, ensemble, and character. One hears the fun of actors who enjoy wrapping their tongues around Elizabethan speech, the apogee of our language, as spoken by its greatest poet. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0141396458
• ISBN 13: 9780141396453
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304