Coriolanus: A Critical Reader

Coriolanus is a gripping character study of a warrior that Rome cannot tolerate or do without. This Critical Reader opens up the range of interpretation and offers new directions for scholarship. It includes a Timeline of key events, scholarly reaction, history of the play on stage, and four New Directions essays exploring the rhetoric and performance of the self, the play's relevance to our contemporary world, an Hegelian approach, and computer-assisted stylometry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Coriolanus, the final and most captivating of Shakespeare's Roman tragedies, has long captivated critics, directors, and actors alike. This profound character study delves into the complexities of a warrior who, despite his immense strength and prowess on the battlefield, remains an outsider in Rome. Caius Martius Coriolanus is a terrifying war machine, fiercely devoted to his mother, a wise and ambitious woman, but also a scathing critic of the rights and traditions of the common people.

This Critical Reader explores the vast range of interpretations the play has elicited throughout centuries, offering fresh perspectives for scholarship. The volume begins with a comprehensive Timeline of key events related to Coriolanus in print and performance, accompanied by an Introduction by the volume editor. Chapters delve into the scholarly response to the play across four centuries, examining the history of its stage performances and current research and thought surrounding it.

The second half of the volume comprises four insightful New Directions essays that explore various aspects of the play. These essays examine the rhetoric and performance of the self, the play's relevance to our contemporary world, an Hegelian approach to the tragedy, and the insights of computer-assisted stylometry. A final chapter critically surveys resources for teaching Coriolanus, making it an invaluable tool for educators and students alike.

In conclusion, Coriolanus is a masterpiece that continues to inspire and provoke thought, offering a profound exploration of the human condition and the complexities of power and politics. This Critical Reader provides a comprehensive and engaging approach to the play, shedding light on its enduring significance and potential for new interpretations.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350213654