Coriolanus is raised by a domineering and nasty mother. He becomes an infantile egomaniac and the ultimate warrior incapable of living a happy and fulfilling life off the battlefield. When he loses his campaign for the Roman Senate his ego drives him to unite with enemies to wage war on Rome. This Shakespearean play dealing with an ego centric politician that wants to win all costs, without regards to moral or political standards, is probably even more accessible for the modern reader.

Coriolanus is such a horrible character. He thinks it's disgusting to be dependent on someone, or something, which I found so interesting. That's why he hated being put on that pedestal to showcase in front of all the common people and hated when people thanked him for his work in battle. He treats the common people like shit and is shocked when they don't vote for him as consul. Also, why do Shakespearean plays always toy with the idea of great warriors becoming involved in politics? This happened in Julius Caesar and we all know how that ended. Also, the homo-erotic tension between Coriolanus and some of the men, mostly Aufidius is insane. Even with Meneius and Cominius, their individual relationships with Coriolanus are...interesting. Not to mention his borderline incestuous relationship with his own mother Volumnia. The whole play is simply just too much and I was genuinely shocked by Coriolanus switching sides when he literally murdered so many Volscian people and left HIS own family back in Rome. I didn't like Volumnia but she did save Rome, as she got Coriolanus to sacrifice himself for peace, since she knows he will do whatever she says.

The most detestable title character in the canon. Infuriating.

“Action is Eloquence” - Volumnia
Shakespeare writes the best of both monologue and dialogue. Wish I could have seen this performed in person in his day, but seeing Hiddleston as Coriolanus was also wonderfully done.

-Asimov
-Arkangel audio

-Stratford Festival film
-National Theater Live - Coriolans (Tom Hiddleston)

Some interesting ideas about power and the mob, and definitely some Freudian mommy issues. Not one of my favorites.

this is just coriolanus x aufidius enemies to lovers to enemies

are they…. you know….. military rivals who swear to kill each other but one shows up to the other’s doorstep exiled and the other admits he has homoerotic wrestling sex dreams about him and they get military married only for the one guy to betray the other bc he has evil mommy issues so the other kills him but he feels really sad about it after?