Good, but sad, story. In back of the book the editor included commentaries: The Story of the Play, Rome in the time of Coriolanus, The Idea of the Play, and Test Questions (for use by the teachers). There is also an Acting Appendix.
Edited by George Green, M.A. ( )

A moral tale, taken by Plutarch to demonstrate the intens patriotic indentity of early Romans, to be contrasted with the career of Alcibiades, the Athenian. Shakespeare uses the opportunity to discuss the role of the ego, in politics, and familial relations. A general well treated for his handling of the sabine war, becomes far too involved in putting forward his own claim to glory. Exiled from his city, he takes service with the other side, and then finds himself returning to his new friends and is then killed by them for retaining his partiality for his native home. 1608 was the probable date of composition. ( )

I'd never heard of this play, until the national theatre company broadcast their life production so I could see it in a movie theatre in new Zealand. amazing play, really speaks true about the perils of a soldier returning to wartime. ( )

Phoenix Falmouth

Roman Caius Marcius is a successful soldier but a terrible politician. After defeating the Volscians at Corioles and earning a new surname, Coriolanus, the tragic hero refuses to pander to the plebeians and wins their wrath rather than their electoral support of his appointment as consul. As the audience sees how the tribunes Brutus and Sicinius manipulate public opinion to their own ends, Coriolanus does not appear as entirely unsympathetic. ( )