Caius Marcius Coriolanus, a brilliant but arrogant Roman general, faces exile and social upheaval after his disdain for the common people ignites a political firestorm. Driven by an uncompromising sense of martial honor and encouraged by his ambitious mother, Volumnia, Coriolanus struggles to navigate the shifting loyalties of the Roman Republic. His inability to mask his contempt for the plebeians leads to his banishment, forcing him to align with his former enemy, Tullus Aufidius. The narrative unfolds through dramatic dialogue and soliloquies, emphasizing the tension between individual pride and the demands of the state. The play explores the logical consequences of rigid character traits within a volatile political environment.

Discussion often centers on the polarizing nature of the protagonist, whose rigid adherence to his own code of honor makes him both a formidable warrior and a political liability. Readers frequently highlight the play's sharp examination of class conflict and the manipulation of public opinion by political figures. Critics often note the efficiency of the pacing, which moves rapidly from the battlefield to the claustrophobic arena of Roman politics. The work is frequently studied for its complex portrayal of the relationship between personal identity and the expectations of the state. Many observers find the play's focus on the fragility of democracy to be particularly relevant in contemporary discourse.