Coriolanus The 40 Years War

Coriolanus was one of Shakespeare's last tragic plays along with Romeo and Juliet. It was adapted for stage by Bertolt Brecht and made into a movie in 2011 starring Ralph Feinnes. In this adaptation, Coriolanus is the name given to a general after his more than adequate military successes against various uprisings challenging the government of Mundus Novus. A 40 Years' war is underway. His arch enemy, Gulmatyar Kekbuddin, is leader of the tribal Achaemenidian Empire. Following this success, Coriolanus becomes active in politics and seeks political leadership. His temperament is unsuited for popular leadership and he is quickly deposed, whereupon he aligns himself to set matters straight according to his own will. The alliances he forges along and the interests he sets to overturn along the way result in his ultimate downfall. Shakespeare's universal themes of war and individual power offer the reader a fresh look at the conflicts raging in the 21st century.