Coriolanus (Book)

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s later tragedies, offering a tragic portrait of the Roman Republic period. This Turkish edition, published by Dergâh Publications in September 2023 as part of the World Literature series, was translated by İclal Vanwesenbeeck.

Subject

The book centers on the conflict between the dictatorial stance of the character Coriolanus and the expectations of the public. Coriolanus, who achieves great victories through his courage, loses his prestige in the eyes of the public due to his arrogance. Trapped between authority and the populace, the character clings to his class, leading him to a profound loneliness in both politics and his life.

Themes

• Aristocratic-Popular Conflict: The clash between aristocratic values and direct democracy is addressed.
• Power and Individuality: The incompatibility of a powerful individual with society is described.
• Arrogance and Tragedy: The loneliness and tragic transformation brought by personal victory are explored.

Style and Translation

İclal Vanwesenbeeck’s translation aims to preserve Shakespeare's tragic rhythm with a modern language. The book includes comparative visuals and textual examples from previous Turkish translations, offering an opportunity for intertextual interpretation and visualization.