Book description
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.
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
mother Mary Arden some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
He wrote about 38 plays (the precise number is uncertain), a
collection of sonnets and a variety of other poems.
Paul Prescott has acted and taught Shakespeare in Japan, America and
the UK. His publications include articles on theatre history and
forthcoming books on Richard III in performance, and Shakespeare and
the Director (with Dennis Kennedy).
G R Hibbard taught at the Universities of Nottingham and Waterloo,
Canada. Author of the standard biography of Thomas Nashe, he edited,
among other plays, Love's Labour's Lost, Hamlet, and Coriolanus.
Stanley Wells is Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham
and Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
