Shakespeare's Characterization of Coriolanus

Welcome back, It’s been a while since I last wrote on this blog and I’m bringing something different today. Today’s topic is about Shakespeare’s characterisation of Martius in Coriolanus Act 1.

When the play begins we are thrusted straight into an angry mob, as they march to ask for grain and search for the man they hate the most Caius Martius. Giving us the impression that this plays main character is not favoured by those of the commons or plebeians of the time. With the use of the plebs Shakespeare describes Martius (who later becomes Coriolanus) as prideful, arrogant, an enemy to the people, and aggressive. Which makes the audience question how they could possibly connect to Coriolanus.  This is all happening right at the begging which is a crucial part of any play, for it is where you introduce your story and characters, and Shakespeare has carried this out but presents more of a villain than a hero. With the progress of the play we begin to question Shakespeare’s logic when giving us a man such as this for role of the main character as we see him provoke those he deems unfit, however this all changes when he is sent to war.

When Coriolanus is sent to fight Aufidius’s Volscian army at Corioli, we are presented  a different side to this character and witness him in his element as a warrior and general. As the rest of the act 1 progresses the audience will still be able to see his aggression and pride when he attempts to motivate his soldiers, by totally scaring them and threatening to kill them himself if they do not fight and win. This is then followed by the roman army taking the city and Coriolanus venturing of to fight Aufidius. During this scene, Shakespeare yet again adds another layer to this character by giving Coriolanus the ability to respects those who he may see as an equal even if they may be his enemy. After Rome’s victory, the generals give a large speech to their soldiers, with them praising them and sharing the loot acquired from the city. They begin to praise Coriolanus and offer a substantial amount of the loot, which he turns down. He states that it is not about the items for him, that he rather choose the victory and the scars. Show yet again another layer, he now looks like a classic Greek hero, strong, noble and modest.

Shakespeare definitely has given the audience a character that needs to be thought about and not just accepted, clearly scene by what happens in the first act.