Coriolanus

(Paperback)

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Description

Intended for a wide audience, Jan Blits's edition of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Coriolanus differs from other such editions by focusing upon ancient sources to highlight the play's setting during the founding of the Roman Republic. In doing so it sheds new light on both the action of the play and the historical and political significance of its setting.

'Jan Blits's invaluable edition of Coriolanus opens up new vistas for its readers by providing rare insights into Shakespeare's remarkable artistry and acuity in dramatizing ancient Rome its history, its heroes, and its aspirations. In addition, Professor Blits's references to key sources on Rome enable curious readers to conduct their own further investigations under his learned guidance. In short, Blits's edition makes the depths of Shakespeare's Coriolanus accessible in ways previous versions do not.' Vickie B. Sullivan, Cornelia M. Jackson Professor of Political Science, Tufts University

Reviews

"Jan Blits's invaluable edition of Coriolanus opens up new vistas for its readers by providing rare insights into Shakespeare's remarkable artistry and acuity in dramatizing ancient Romeits history, its heroes, and its aspirations. In addition, Professor Blits's references to key sources on Rome enable curious readers to conduct their own further investigations under his learned guidance. In short, Blits's edition makes the depths of Shakespeare's Coriolanus accessible in ways previous versions do not." Vickie B. Sullivan, Cornelia M. Jackson Professor of Political Science, Tufts University
"With this edition of Coriolanus , together with his editions of Julius Caesar and Antony & Cleopatra , Jan Blits completes his masterful trilogy of commentary on Shakespeare's dramatic portrait of the ancient Roman Republic. His introductory essay, extensive and detailed notes to the text, and useful glossary provide readers, students, and scholars of Shakespeare's Roman plays with a comprehensive account of the dominant themes and circumstances in the dramatic actionespecially from the perspective of ancient history and political philosophy. From the foundation of the Roman Republic and its inevitable tension between extraordinary martial prowess, the pursuit of self-sufficient virtue, and republican devotion to the common good, Blits creates a compelling historical, political, and philosophical framework for understanding Shakespeare's Coriolanus and Rome." Dustin Gish, The Honors College, University of Houston
"Blit's Introduction and commentary focus on historical context and political questions, even political philosophy, in this follow-up to his deeply annotated edition of Julius Caesar. Blits' annotations take up half of a typical page, rather than (say) one-sixth of Barbara Everett's 1968 Signet edition. He provides a running explication, not only clarifying stage directions, but, for the Classicists reading this review and their students, providing ancient sources far beyond Plutarch's thrilling life of a negative exemplar. . . . A timeline and two maps, a bibliography, and a valuable index to the notes complement the Introduction, text, and notes. This edition would serve well a course examining the Late Roman Republic-Early Augustan Age and its Reception." Donald Lateiner, Ohio Wesleyan University, in CJ-Online

Author Bio

William Shakespeare (c. 26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, renowned by many as the world's greatest writer in the English Language. Among his plays are "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", "Macbeth" to name but a few.