Coriolanus Theme of Power

Coriolanus is a political tragedy about a Roman General Caius Martius later named Coriolanus. The play is revolved in two entirely different parts, the battlefield and the senate where we see Shakespeare's characterization of Coriolanus shift from a great General and Leader of the Roman army but incapable and lost in his element when he is speaking about politics. Coriolanus is shown as strong, smart and dragon like fighter in the battlefield and his power from the beginning of the play shifts to hatefulness and bitterness due to his political actions in the Roman Senate. The play shifts from the powerful Coriolanus to the opposition of Coriolanus, the tribunes and the citizens of Rome which Coriolanus hated because in his opinion they didn't deserve to have a say. The theme continues to shift from Coriolanus being the great General, to a hated politician and then banished from Rome. We see the Power shift from his hands to the hands of the Tribunes and citizens. In order to get back his power he goes and ally's himself with his nemesis in order to destroy the country and people that betrayed him and lay ruin to Rome like a dragon would to a city. After Coriolanus partners up with his rival Aufidius he gains the Power he lost when he got banished from Rome and now every Roman is scared that Coriolanus with attack and destroy Rome with the Volsces army. Finally Shakespeare shifts the theme again by taking all the power Coriolanus has gotten back by allying with Aufidius when he meets with his mother and Volumnia convinces him to not destroy Rome. At that moment Caius has lost every dragon like paromoiosis and now he is just a mere mortal. Coriolanus ends with the Romans having the Power and Caius being dead.

Characterization Act 1 Coriolanus

Shakespeare uses Act 1 of Coriolanus as an introduction to the characters and the plot. He uses the characterization of the characters to show the difference in people. For example Brutus and Sicinius are politicians and loved by the people whereas Coriolanus is hated by the people of Rome although he has saved Rome on the battlefield countless times. More in depth in Act 1 Scene 1 Caius Martius is introduced to the audience as an arrogant person who dislikes the common people and thinks he is above them. The citizens characterize him as a dog and an enemy to the common people. His statements “you dissentious rogues, that, rubbing your poor itch opinion” shows how little Caius Martius valued their opinion and how cruel he was. For Caius this will be a problem in the future as he will try to become a citizens politicien but his past might prevent him for achieving his goals Also he was proud and full of himself thinking that he was destined for greatness. In Act 1 Scene 3 Shakespeare through the words of Volumnia foreshadows the Great battle that it is going to occur and that Martius will emerge as a true hero of Rome. Also in Scene 3 Shakespeare shows the other side of Martius, the mighty General that will lead Rome into battle against the Volsces and because of his determination to destroy his foe Aufidius will emerge victorious. “He’ll beat Aufidius’ head below his knee and tread upon his head”. During the battle of Corioles Caius Martius is in the front lines embracing and lifting his brothers and when pushed back by the Volsces he is enraged and lifts his fellow soldiers to victory. Caius Martius strength and passion prevails as he conquers Corioles, but for him the fighting is not done. On this occasion Shakespeare shows how mentally and physically strong Martius is, because, although he conquered Corioles, he had to beat Aufidius too and, while injured, he sped to help the General Cominius. Shakespeare also shows the humility of Caius Martius as he declines the spoils of victory: “But cannot make my heart consent to take a bribe to pay my sword. I do refuse it and stand upon my common part with those that have beheld the doing”. Finally, the most profound characterisation of Martius comes from Aufidius and his soldiers at the end of Act 1, where the soldiers say that “He’s the devil” inferring to Caius Martius and Aufidius replies by saying that “ He is bolder, though not so subtle”. This respect shown from the enemy to Caius Martius shows how strong he truly is in the field of battle. At the end of Act 1 Coriolanus is characterized extremely differently than he was at the beginning. At the start he was this arrogant person that the citizens of Rome hated and wanted him dead, but at the end he is the hero of Rome saving them from the Volsces and imminent danger. Shakespeare shows that Coriolanus has two characters, the hated Roman and the Great General that leads the Roman forces toe victory and glory.