Coriolanus - (Arden Shakespeare Third) 3rd Edition by William Shakespeare (Hardcover)

About the Book

One of Shakespeare's last tragedies. Coriolanus is a proud General who does not hesitate to show his arrogant and outspoken contempt of the Roman rabble. The comprehensive Introduction and commentary notes open up the language, themes and ideas in this complex yet richly rewarding play for the student and teacher.

Book Synopsis

This Roman play is one of Shakespeare's last tragedies, best known for its political and military themes. Its hero, Coriolanus, is a proud General who does not hesitate to show his arrogant and outspoken contempt of the Roman rabble. The Tribunes banish him and he raises an army to take his revenge on Rome. He finally concedes to the pleas of his mother to spare the city and leaves only to be publicly killed by his former allies.

Peter Holland is a former Director of the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon and President of the Shakespeare Association of America. He is a pre-eminent international scholar. His comprehensive introduction and commentary notes open up the language, themes and ideas in this complex yet richly rewarding play for the student and teacher.

Review Quotes

"Great introduction - strong on political context and topicality, and great treatment of the new Fiennes movie adaptation. The best modern edition of Coriolanus on the market." --Matthew Woodcock, University of East Anglia, UK

"This is a mighty powerhouse of a work: passionately outward-looking in its engagement with the play's afterlife in theatre, poetry and film ... Holland's style is delightfully engaging and inclusive ... This is a remarkable piece of scholarship, and an indispensable work for anyone wishing to understand Coriolanusbetter." --Jane Kingsley-Smith, Roehampton University, UK, Around the Globe

About the Author

Peter Holland holds the McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies in the Department of Film, Television and Theatre and is Associate Dean for the Arts at the University of Notre Dame. He was formerly Director of the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon and is editor of Shakespeare Survey and co-general editor of the Oxford Shakespeare Topics series.