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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
This play has a few of my favourite passages ever. And it's sometimes so unintentionally funny I can't bear it. Also: gay.
iordanmoore's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not my favorite of the Shakespearean plays, but I did enjoy this edition’s introduction to the text and interview with 2 directors about their staging of the play. Very interesting to read after having worked on another production of the play.
primesinister's review against another edition
4.0
VERY slow start but once we hit the bits that work excellently as Hannibal fanfiction, the play really finds its groove.
I’m surprised I don’t see more references to the latter half of this play (particularly the bridge from act 3 to 4), in the American political setting. It’s oft been said that American politics embrace their Roman inspiration, trying to navigate around actual British roots. Not the democracy of the Greeks but representative practices centered around a strong military state (albeit one inclined to occasional tyranny). I feel like this play just makes a LOT of sense if modernly adapted to a U.S. setting, and unlike many history-inspired Shakespeare plays, may find a ready audience here.
I’m surprised I don’t see more references to the latter half of this play (particularly the bridge from act 3 to 4), in the American political setting. It’s oft been said that American politics embrace their Roman inspiration, trying to navigate around actual British roots. Not the democracy of the Greeks but representative practices centered around a strong military state (albeit one inclined to occasional tyranny). I feel like this play just makes a LOT of sense if modernly adapted to a U.S. setting, and unlike many history-inspired Shakespeare plays, may find a ready audience here.
valliyarnl's review against another edition
2.0
messy_dreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
book_geek96's review against another edition
4.0
Very well)) Why I read this? Because of the 2014 play which casted talented actors, such as Tom Hiddleston as Coriolanus, which I cannot resist. It is interesting to read plays, and I found this very entertaining. However, there is tragedy, tragedy of Coriolanus, brave, hot-headed, arrogant, but also humble, compassionate and honest soldier, who dies because he can not change his true nature. I don't know if I should hate him or not, but for me he was a lovable character. I loved him partly because he is not evil at all, he is honest and true to his cores and partly because he was portrayed by such a brilliant actor in the play. Hail proud man!
actually_juliette's review against another edition
5.0
Why didn't I read this sooner? It is a tragedy, but the real tragedy is not in the ending. It's in how Coriolanus, Rome's valiant veteran, is an object of the whims of others during his life: his mother's whims, the Senate's whims, the people's whims . . . . he does not live for himself.
I thought it was interesting and telling that Volumnia, Coriolanus' mother, had as large a role as she did. She had the longest speech in the entire play!
Note on the edition: I used the Folger's edition. It's pretty much useless. The footnotes were for phrases I could already decipher, but, when I was stuck on a line, there was no note to help!
I thought it was interesting and telling that Volumnia, Coriolanus' mother, had as large a role as she did. She had the longest speech in the entire play!
Note on the edition: I used the Folger's edition. It's pretty much useless. The footnotes were for phrases I could already decipher, but, when I was stuck on a line, there was no note to help!
matthewbald1's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
luney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0