{"product_id":"book-ayq7","title":"Coriolanus","description":"\u003cp\u003eRome is a city divided, nobility and common people locked in mutual suspicion. The patrician Caius Marcius, later called Coriolanus, is Rome’s greatest soldier, but his proud refusal to accommodate himself to the demands of the plebeians leads to banishment and death.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Roman history as well as tragedy, \u003cem\u003eCoriolanus\u003c\/em\u003e is a complex and subtle exploration of the themes of absolution and compromise, both in the political world and in the life of the individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaul Jesson plays Coriolanus, and Marjorie Yates is Volumnia. Ewan Hooper plays Menenius\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT I\u003cbr\u003eScene 1. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe common people of Rome, the plebeians, are on the verge of rebellion due to the lack of grain; they blame the partricians—the Roman nobility—for their plight. They are especially bitter toward Caius Marcius, a patrician and a successful soldier, whom they regard as “the chief enemy to the people.” Menenius tries to persuade them that the patricians are acting in their best interests but when Marcius arrives he makes no attempt to disguise his contempt for the plebeians. When news comes that the Volsces have taken up arms against Rome, Marcius receives it with pleasure, believing their leader Tullus Aufidius to be a noble adversary. Sicinius and Brutus, tribunes appointed to represent the interests of the plebeians, discuss Marcius’ overweening pride.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 2. \u003c\/strong\u003eAufidius prepares to go to war against Rome.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 3. \u003c\/strong\u003eMarcius’ mother, Volumnia, urges his wife Virgilia to glory in his warlike prowess. Valeria brings news that Marcius is about to attach the Volsces’ city of Corioles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 4. \u003c\/strong\u003eMarcius curses the fainthearted Roman soldiers and urges them on to attack Corioles. When they refuse, he enters the enemy city single-handed. When the Romans see him alone within the walls of Corioles, they rush in to assist him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 5. \u003c\/strong\u003eMarcius is contemptuous of the looting Roman soldiers and, despite his wounds, plunges back into the battle in search of Aufidius.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 6. \u003c\/strong\u003eCovered from head to foot in blood, Marcius announces victory at Corioles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 7. \u003c\/strong\u003eLartius prepares to go to the Roman camp and warns the lieutenant to guard the gates of Corioles well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 8. \u003c\/strong\u003eMarcius and Aufidius fight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 9. \u003c\/strong\u003eAlthough Marcius refuses all Cominius’ efforts to reward him with booty, the general insists that he accept the name Coriolanus, as tribute to his extraordinary bravery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 10. \u003c\/strong\u003eAufidius vows to destroy Marcius by any means—honorable or otherwise.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT II\u003cbr\u003eScene 1. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe tribunes Sicinius and Brutus try to persuade Menenius that Marcius is excessively proud, but he will have none of it, accusing them of ambition and servility. Coriolanus returns to Rome in triumph and is greeted by his wife and mother. Brutus and Sicinius fear that if Coriolanus becomes consul they will be stripped of their power.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 2. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe Senate has deccided to make Coriolanus consul. With great reluctance he goes, as custom requires, to solicit the citizens’ votes by displaying his battle wounds in the marketplace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 3. \u003c\/strong\u003eDespite the awareness of some plebeians that Coriolanus has little love for the common people they recognize his nobility, and choose him for consul. Once he has gone, however, their unease resurfaces and the tribunes persuade them to revoke their votes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT III\u003cbr\u003eScene 1. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus walks through Rome, discussing the news that Aufidius is again preparing to take up arms. When the tribunes warn him to go no further, Coriolanus accuses them of inciting the plebeians against him and asserts that the people did not deserve free distribution of corn because they were unwilling to defend their country in war. Menenius tries to calm him, but Coriolanus continues to rage that “gentry tile, wisdom,\/Cannot conclude but by the yea and no\/Of general ignorance.” Finally, Brutus orders Coriolanus’ arrest and chaos ensues as the plebeians are exhorted by the tribunes to seize Coriolanus but are beaten back by the senators. When the tribunes demand Coriolanus’ death, Menenius appeases them by saying that he will bring him to the Forum to answer their grievances.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 2. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus refuses to do as Menenius asks, but is eventually persuaded to go to the Forum by his mother Volumnia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 3. \u003c\/strong\u003eBrutus and Sicinius are determined that Coriolanus should be brought down by the people. When he enters the Forum, he cannot contain himself and abuses the plebeians. Sicinius and Brutus announce his banishment from Rome.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT IV\u003cbr\u003eScene 1. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus bids a dignified farewell to friends and family.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 2. \u003c\/strong\u003eVolumnia rounds angrily on the tribunes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 3. \u003c\/strong\u003eA Roman spy tells a Volsce of Coriolanus banishment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 4. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus arrives in Antium and learns the whereabouts of Aufidius’ house.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 5. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus presents himself to Aufidius telling his old enemy either to kill him on the spot, or to accept his services in war against Rome. Aufidius welcomes him delightedly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 6. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe tribunes and others hear the terrible news that Coriolanus and Aufidius have invaded Roman territories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 7. \u003c\/strong\u003eAufidius is angered by Coriolanus’ arrogance and his growing popularity with the Volsces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT V\u003cbr\u003eScene 1. \u003c\/strong\u003eAfter Cominius has attempted unsuccessfully to plead with Coriolanus for Rome, Menenius reluctantly agrees to approach his old friend.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 2. \u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus refuses to speak to Menenius.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 3. \u003c\/strong\u003eVolumnia, Virgilia, and her little son approach Coriolanus. Volumnia describes their agony at being torn between their love for Rome and for him. She begs him to negotiate a peace that is honorable to both sides and at last Coriolanus agrees.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 4. \u003c\/strong\u003eA messenger brings news that Volumnia has prevailed with Coriolanus.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 5. \u003c\/strong\u003eA Senator gives the women a rapturous welcome.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScene 6. \u003c\/strong\u003eAufidius has returned to Corioles, enraged; he conspires with some of his followers to kill Coriolanus. When Coriolanus explains to the Volsces how he has brokered an honorable peace, Aufidius publicly accuses him of treachery. As the crowd rages against him, Coriolanus is killed by the conspirators.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAST\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCoriolanus: Paul Jesson \/ Menenius: Ewan Hooper \/ Volumnia: Marjorie Yates \/ Brutus: Steve Hawthorne \/ Sicinius: Denys Hawthorne \/ Aufidius: Martin Marquez \/ Cominius: Michael N. Harbour \/ Titus Lartius: Anthony Jackson \/ Valeria: Shirley Dixon \/ Virgilia: Sarah Woodward \/ 1st Senator: Trevor Martin \/ 2nd Senator: Jamie Glover \/ 1st Citizen: Michael Higgs \/ 2nd Citizen: Jonathan Tafler \/ Corioles Messenger: Mark Bonnar \/ Corioles: Philip Bretherton \/ 1st Soldier: Christopher Luscombe \/ Young Marcius: Freddie Norton\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirector: Clive Brill \/ Composer: Dominique Le Gendre \/ Production coordinators: Polly Coles and Charlotte Harvey \/ Sound engineer: Wilfredo Acosta \/ Producers: Bill Shepherd and Tom Treadwell\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTRACK LIST\u003cbr\u003eDisc 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTrack 1: Act I, Scene i\u003cbr\u003eTrack 2: Act I, Scene ii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 3: Act I, Scene iii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 4: Act I, Scene iv\u003cbr\u003eTrack 5: Act I, Scene v\u003cbr\u003eTrack 6: Act I, Scene vi\u003cbr\u003eTrack 7: Act I, Scene vii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 8: Act I, Scene viii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 9: Act I, Scene ix\u003cbr\u003eTrack 10: Act I, Scene x\u003cbr\u003eTrack 11: Act II, Scene i\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisc 2\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTrack 1: Act II, Scene ii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 2: Act II, Scene iii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 3: Act III, Scene i\u003cbr\u003eTrack 4: Act III, Scene ii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 5: Act III, Scene iii\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisc 3\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTrack 1: Act IV, Scene i\u003cbr\u003eTrack 2: Act IV, Scene ii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 3: Act IV, Scene iii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 4: Act IV, Scene iv\u003cbr\u003eTrack 5: Act IV, Scene v\u003cbr\u003eTrack 6: Act IV, Scene vi\u003cbr\u003eTrack 7: Act IV, Scene vii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 8: Act V, Scene i\u003cbr\u003eTrack 9: Act V, Scene ii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 10: Act V, Scene iii\u003cbr\u003eTrack 11: Act V, Scene iv\u003cbr\u003eTrack 12: Act V, Scene v\u003cbr\u003eTrack 13: Act V, Scene vi\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arkangel","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49393537057072,"sku":"BDayq7","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49393537089840,"sku":"ZEayq7","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD [ZM]","offer_id":49393537122608,"sku":"ZMayq7","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/159943-ayq7-Square.jpg?v=1735350385","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-ayq7","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}