Monday, March 17, 2008

Book #8: Coriolanus, The Butterfly Killer

James Joyce wrote of the "the note of banishment, banishment from the heart, banishment from home" in reference to Shakespeare, and this tragedy, Coriolanus, seems like the ultimate expression of that note.

This is a fantastic play, and I found myself rereading many passages. Though there are fewer soliloquies than we usually get in a Bard tragedy (at least by the title character), there are fascinating, dynamic exchanges and an irrepressible sense of terrible energy and conflict.

I also had the pleasure of watching the BBC production of this play and really enjoyed it.

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