Coriolanus Tragedy: A Literary Masterpiece

Coriolanus Tragedy is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1608. The plot is based on the life of the legendary Roman general, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus. The play explores the themes of pride, ambition, and the conflict between personal and public duty.

Plot Summary

The play begins with a famine in Rome. The people are starving, and they blame the patricians, the ruling class, for their plight. The tribunes, who represent the people, demand that the patricians distribute their grain to the poor. The patricians refuse, and the people riot.

Coriolanus. A tragedy. By Mr. William Shakespear.

by Kavous Ardalan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3837 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	400 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	108 pages
Item Weight	:	7.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	7.44 x 0.22 x 9.69 inches

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In the midst of the chaos, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, a proud and ambitious general, returns to Rome from a victorious campaign against the Volscians. The people hail him as a hero, and the patricians hope to use his popularity to quell the unrest. Coriolanus is elected consul, but his pride and arrogance soon alienate the people.

The tribunes, who envy Coriolanus's success, accuse him of treason. Coriolanus is banished from Rome, and he joins forces with the Volscians to take revenge on his former countrymen.

Coriolanus leads the Volscians against Rome, and he is on the verge of victory. However, his mother, Volumnia, and his wife, Virgilia, come to him and beg him to spare Rome. Coriolanus is torn between his love for his family and his desire for revenge. In the end, he agrees to spare Rome, but the Volscians turn against him and kill him.

Characters

Coriolanus is a complex and tragic figure. He is a brave and skilled warrior, but he is also proud, arrogant, and impulsive. He is unable to control his emotions, and his pride ultimately leads to his downfall.

Volumnia is a strong and determined woman. She is a loving mother, but she is also ambitious for her son. She encourages Coriolanus to seek glory and power, and she is partly responsible for his downfall.

Virgilia is a gentle and loving wife. She tries to restrain Coriolanus's pride and ambition, but she is ultimately unsuccessful. She is a symbol of the feminine ideal, and her death at the end of the play is a tragedy in itself.

The tribunes are demagogues who represent the people. They are jealous of Coriolanus's success, and they use their power to destroy him. They are a symbol of the dangers of mob rule, and their actions contribute to the tragedy of the play.

Themes

Coriolanus Tragedy explores the themes of pride, ambition, and the conflict between personal and public duty. Coriolanus is a proud and ambitious man, and his pride ultimately leads to his downfall. He is unable to control his emotions, and he is easily manipulated by others. His tragedy is a warning against the dangers of pride and ambition.

The play also explores the conflict between personal and public duty. Coriolanus is a great general, but he is also a flawed man. He is unable to balance his personal desires with his duty to Rome. His tragedy is a reminder that even the best of us can be destroyed by our own flaws.

Critical Reception

Coriolanus Tragedy has been praised by critics for its powerful characters, its beautiful language, and its insights into the human condition. It is considered one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, and it is frequently performed on stage and screen.

"Coriolanus Tragedy is a masterpiece of the theater. Shakespeare's characters are complex and believable, and the play's themes are timeless. It is a tragedy that will move and inspire audiences for centuries to come." - Harold Bloom

"Coriolanus Tragedy is a powerful and moving play. Shakespeare's insights into the human condition are profound, and the characters are unforgettable. It is a tragedy that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it." - The New York Times

Coriolanus Tragedy is a timeless masterpiece that explores the human condition with great power and beauty. It is a tragedy that will move and inspire audiences for centuries to come.