B. J. Harrison Reads The Tragedy of Coriolanus

"The Tragedy of Coriolanus" falls into the category of Shakespeares' political tragedies. It tells of the story of the legendary Roman hero Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Coriolanus' military success helps him get forward in Rome's political life, and he soon starts dreaming of a leadership position. Unfortunately, too much power inevitably leads to corruption, and Coriolanus' fate is no exception. A detailed exploration of power struggles, political issues, and what it means to be a man, "The Tragedy of Coriolanus" is on the one hand a harsh critique of power and greed, and on the other hand, it is the rise-and-fall tale of an intriguing and virtuous character.