Shakespeare, in my opinion, really is the dog's bollocks.

I decided to read this (for the first time) before I see the new film version directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes opening this weekend. However, I was not prepared to be so bowled over by the sheer poetry of the master playwright WS. Reading the Bard, one is constantly reminded of the richness of the English language.

The character of Coriolanus is frustratingly macho and stubborn which ultimately leads to his downfull, for tragedy this certainly is. Combine the voice of sanity in his ear (his mother Volumnia, who proves that women really should be in charge of things:)and the maddening chinese whispers of the plebians, the series of events whips up in a frenzy of confusion and misundertanding and Coriolanus himself does nothing to dispute these untruths. He just wants to fight and not justify himself verbally.

On the way, Shakespeare's poetry sings to us, enthuses, laments, implies innuendo and charms the tale to unfold with lyricism and exquisite timing.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Ancient Rome, this truly was a great and bloody tale, brilliantly told.