[ENGLISH] Shakspeare's Coriolanus Act 1 Analysis
What is Shakespeare’s larger purpose in his characterisation of Coriolanus in Act I?
Shakespeare has used characterisation to build up the main (and supporting) characters' characteristics which have helped shape the plot of the entire play. Shakespeare’s use of characterisation in the play Coriolanus in Act 1 have played a major role into shaping the characters’ characteristics.
Coriolanus is classed as one of Shakespeare’s Tragedy Plays which is mainly centered on the political moves of people in the governmental level. Coriolanus being a political play would also mean that the play can portray politically controversial concepts in the play to show awareness. A political unrest was presented when Caius Martius (later titled as Coriolanus), a Roman General, was firstly presented as an inhumane person who were against the idea of treating the plebeians well. This idea was starkly presented in Act 1 Scene 1 where commoners riot against the augmentation of the price of corn (as it is a staple food for them). Being presented as a war hero glorified by some, a patrician (upper class) general, and "chief enemy to the people", Coriolanus entered the scene of riot attempting to dispel the rioting. He then commented on the situation and said that “Corn are for the rich men only” while also calling them names such as scabs and dogs. This gives a foresight to the audience about Coriolanus’ future endeavors and political moves he will make later on as the play progresses. This conflict between Coriolanus and the people is shown throughout the play and its intensity increases over time.
As a general and an honored patrician, Coriolanus’ lives in two polarizing worlds: Rome and the Battlefield. As presented in Act 1, His characteristics of when he is in battle compared to when he is in Rome are very different. The scenes where Coriolanus is in Rome mostly presents the audience his heartlessness and selfish characters shown by the rioting of plebeians in Act 1 Scene 1 whereas the scenes where he is in the battlefield shows the audience his great/powerful and patriotic characters which have helped give develop his leader like characters when he was honored with the title of "Coriolanus" in Act 1 Scene 9.
Back in the Shakespearean era, a lot of the educated people were educated with Latin or Greek education. This means that the people then have learned some Old Roman or Greek literature. Shakespeare has also learned them and has incorporated one major concept into the play. Coriolanus’ characteristics can be paralleled to the characteristics of a Classical Hero. For example, Achilles was seen by his people as a god-like man and idolizes him. Achilles had a minor flaw which have helped the elimination of Achilles (his eventual death in this case). These characteristics are similar to that of Coriolanus'. In Act 1, Shakespeare included some of these Classical Hero characteristics to characterise Coriolanus to the audiences briefly. These characteristics are also familiar to the audiences which makes it more interesting to them.
Shakespeare has used characterisation to build up the main (and supporting) characters' characteristics which have helped shape the plot of the entire play. Shakespeare’s use of characterisation in the play Coriolanus in Act 1 have played a major role into shaping the characters’ characteristics.
Coriolanus is classed as one of Shakespeare’s Tragedy Plays which is mainly centered on the political moves of people in the governmental level. Coriolanus being a political play would also mean that the play can portray politically controversial concepts in the play to show awareness. A political unrest was presented when Caius Martius (later titled as Coriolanus), a Roman General, was firstly presented as an inhumane person who were against the idea of treating the plebeians well. This idea was starkly presented in Act 1 Scene 1 where commoners riot against the augmentation of the price of corn (as it is a staple food for them). Being presented as a war hero glorified by some, a patrician (upper class) general, and "chief enemy to the people", Coriolanus entered the scene of riot attempting to dispel the rioting. He then commented on the situation and said that “Corn are for the rich men only” while also calling them names such as scabs and dogs. This gives a foresight to the audience about Coriolanus’ future endeavors and political moves he will make later on as the play progresses. This conflict between Coriolanus and the people is shown throughout the play and its intensity increases over time.
As a general and an honored patrician, Coriolanus’ lives in two polarizing worlds: Rome and the Battlefield. As presented in Act 1, His characteristics of when he is in battle compared to when he is in Rome are very different. The scenes where Coriolanus is in Rome mostly presents the audience his heartlessness and selfish characters shown by the rioting of plebeians in Act 1 Scene 1 whereas the scenes where he is in the battlefield shows the audience his great/powerful and patriotic characters which have helped give develop his leader like characters when he was honored with the title of "Coriolanus" in Act 1 Scene 9.
Back in the Shakespearean era, a lot of the educated people were educated with Latin or Greek education. This means that the people then have learned some Old Roman or Greek literature. Shakespeare has also learned them and has incorporated one major concept into the play. Coriolanus’ characteristics can be paralleled to the characteristics of a Classical Hero. For example, Achilles was seen by his people as a god-like man and idolizes him. Achilles had a minor flaw which have helped the elimination of Achilles (his eventual death in this case). These characteristics are similar to that of Coriolanus'. In Act 1, Shakespeare included some of these Classical Hero characteristics to characterise Coriolanus to the audiences briefly. These characteristics are also familiar to the audiences which makes it more interesting to them.
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