The Tragedy Of Coriolanus
Edited for the use of Students by A.W. Verity
Published at University Press: Cambridge 1908
"The Tragedy of Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's most austere and politically charged plays, exploring themes of pride, honour, power, and the volatile relationship between the individual and the state. Centred on the Roman general Caius Martius Coriolanus, the drama traces his rise through military brilliance and his subsequent downfall through inflexibility, contempt for popular opinion, and an inability to temper personal honour with political necessity. The play presents a stark vision of republican Rome, where civic duty clashes with aristocratic pride and public favour proves both essential and treacherous.
Edited by A. W. Verity specifically for students, this 1908 Cambridge University Press edition provides a carefully prepared text accompanied by scholarly apparatus designed to aid close reading and understanding. Verity, a respected Shakespearean scholar, situates the play within its classical sources, notably Plutarch's Lives, while offering explanatory notes on language, historical context, and dramatic structure. The editorial approach reflects early twentieth-century academic standards, emphasising clarity, textual integrity, and the educational value of Shakespeare's political and moral complexity.
Published at Cambridge in 1908, this volume forms part of the long tradition of university editions intended for serious study rather than casual reading. Its restrained presentation and authoritative editing make it a useful historical artefact in its own right, illustrating how Shakespeare was taught and interpreted in the Edwardian period. This edition would particularly appeal to Shakespeare scholars, students of classical and political drama, and collectors of early twentieth-century academic Shakespeare editions."
General wear and fading to covers and spine. Various pencil annotations and study notes present - all erasable. Pages otherwise clean, crisp and bright. A nice copy in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
