Coriolanus

Coriolanus is Shakespeare’s late tragedy about a famed warrior turned politician who is banished from Rome after publicly opposing popular rule. Beset by famine and public suspicion, he seeks merciless revenge with former enemies, challenging ideas of heroism and the true nature of power. The work explores political ambiguity, leadership, and the tensions between individual will and collective needs, set against Rome’s tumultuous political landscape.

This edition situates Coriolanus within Shakespeare’s enduring drama about ambition and public opinion. It features an introduction by Paul Prescott and notes by editor G. R. Hibbard, with additional guidance from Stanley Wells. The Penguin Classics volume collects the text in a 304-page paperback, offering accessible reading and scholarly context for contemporary audiences and theatre-goers alike.

• Author: William Shakespeare
• Title: Coriolanus
• Genre: late tragedy
• Protagonist: Coriolanus
• Setting: Rome
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Pages: 304
• Format: Paperback
• Publication date: 25/06/2015
• Editor: G. R. Hibbard
• Introduction: Paul Prescott
• Recommended by: National Theatre
• Category: Classic Shakespearean drama