King Richard II sows the seeds of his own downfall when he exiles Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. The invasion followed forces the vain King to abdicate the throne, and rebellion ensues.

The Duke of Vienna charges his deputy Angelo with maintaining order in his absence. Angelo decides to enforce the city's strict moral code, which has possibly fatal consequences for Claudio - unless his sister Isabella can persuade Angelo to reprieve him.

Although a mighty warrior on the battlefield, Caius Martius Coriolanus finds himself comprehensively outmaneuvered when he turns to politics.