The play Coriolanus was written by William
Shakespeare at the very start of the 17th century in ancient Rome,
just when Italy transferred from a monarchy to a republic. Coriolanus is a true
war hero and much appreciated amongst the Patricians and senators of the city
Rome where he earned his position as consul due to his courageous and modest
nature. In the first act of the play Shakespeare displays a careful development
of Coriolanus’ character through direct and indirect characterization, exposing
his audience to the different traits of Coriolanus in order to understand his
heroic role within the play. More attentive examination reveals the larger
purpose of his characterization in Act 1 specifically, as Coriolanus’ character
supports the further comprehension of the genre, conflicts and setting of the
play.
Coriolanus is
considered a political play as the context of addresses current events,
especially those central to society itself. This encourages consciousness and
social change amongst his target audience; those who watched his plays during the
17th century. Shakespeare examines personal drives and passions
determining political activity in Coriolanus,
which is part of the conventions of a political play. He dramatizes political
leadership and the complexity of human beings being driven by the lust for
power. This can be sensed looking at the class struggle faced by the Romans
during the time era of Coriolanus.
Hence, the political genre in conjunction to the furthering characterization of
Coriolanus in Act I plays a significant role. Coriolanus is considered a war
hero respected amongst the great Patricians and senators, whilst hated by the
‘rats’ of Rome: the Plebeians. The social gap between the two classes is
particularly enhanced when Coriolanus is introduced to the play. The Plebeians
look up to him with disguise due to his domineering role in society: “he’s a
very dog to the commonalty … what he hath done famously he did it to that end”.
Shakespeare develops a theme statement in which the drive for leadership,
social change and lust for power form the moral and message of the plot, as
well as the political genre. Coriolanus is hereby used considering he defeats
Aufidius (his sworn enemy) and gains popularity and power amongst the Romans.
His passion for war and love for his city is part of the political spectrum Shakespeare
forms within his play.
Shakespeare has utilized Coriolanus’ heroic traits and his
invincible character to foreshadow subsequent conflicts against his enemy
Tullus Aufidius. As fierce as Coriolanus can be on the battlefield, he defeats
his enemy with self-determination and hereby builds on his pride. With all the
rewards and honors directed towards Coriolanus, Shakespeare foreshadows a
future internal conflict. As his popularity increases, the public’s
expectations regarding his battle success heighten and Coriolanus will be
exposed to over-confidence with possible fatal consequences. In the last scene
of the play Aufidius says: “I’ll potch at him some way, or wrath or craft may
get him … Bolder, though not so subtle … Wash my fierce hand in’s heart”. This
predicts a sweet revenge to all the times that Coriolanus has triumphantly beat
Aufidius. Although Aufidius’ dialogue might be unreliable, he does provide the
reader with insight on the potential weakness of Coriolanus by calling him
‘bolder’ but not so ‘subtle’. A hero is not driven by subtleness; they are
influenced easily and are driven by courage.
Shakespeare reveals two settings in Act I through which he exposes
two different sides of Coriolanus’ character. The two diverse worlds of the
battlefield versus Rome are associated with the two different character traits
of Coriolanus. On the battlefield he’s undaunted and driven by bravery, whilst
in Rome he’s utterly modest and fidelity to the senate. We could speak of a
mould in terms of Coriolanus adjusting his character to the physical and
emotional setting of the play. “‘Tis not my blood wherein thou seest me mask’d;
for thy revenge wrench up thy power to the highest,” said Coriolanus on the
battlefield facing his enemy Aufidius, while later on in the play he states the
following once returned from his victory to Rome: “I have done as you have
done; that’s what I can; induced as you have been; that’s for my country: he
that has but effected his good will hath overta’en mine act.”
