Coriolanus

What It's About

Caius Martius earns the name Coriolanus after leading a stunning victory over the Volscians at the city of Corioli. Returning to Rome a war hero, he is pushed by the Senate toward the consulship — but Roman custom requires him to humble himself before the common people and seek their approval, something his pride will not allow. His open contempt for the plebeians, and the resentment of the tribunes who represent them, ignite a political crisis that threatens to tear Rome apart.

Key Concepts

The play is built around the collision between personal honour and political necessity, and the friction between Rome's patrician and plebeian classes. It examines how skill on the battlefield does not translate into skill in public life, and how rhetoric, image, and the performance of humility function as tools of power. The influence of Coriolanus's formidable mother, Volumnia, over his sense of duty and identity runs through the entire play.

About the Author

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright and poet, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he spent much of his working life in London as a leading figure of the city's theatre scene.