Theme of Power in Coriolanus

In the play, Coriolanus, the main character Caius Martius is a god-like persona who is ruthless and an inspiring leader to its people in battle. This is shown continuously throughout the battle for Corioles in which is the place where he earned his name 'Coriolanus'. Coriolanus tries to use his extensive power and reputation in the field of war to try and get in the political arena as a consul, however even though he is compared by numerous characters throughout the play as a furious lone dragon, capable of escaping near impossible situations, he isn't able to gain the support of the plebeians and the tribunes due to his lack of respect and value for them. Despite his great military service for Rome and "growing from man to dragon", his quest for political power is what eventually led to his tragic death by Aufidius towards the end of the play. The person behind his pursuit for sovereignty is his mother, Volumnia, who holds a different kind of power in which she is able to use for her own purposes. She uses her position as the mother of Coriolanus to persuade and manipulate him into heading certain directions and get political power herself. She expects nothing but the best from his son as she hoped for his son to get scars from battle to show to the people and gain more votes and support from them. Other people that continue this trend of power in the play can be seen with Tullus Aufidius, general of the Volscians, is shown as Coriolanus's main enemy and the man who brought him to his death. He first takes advantage of Coriolanus's position of being exiled from Rome and accepts his request to join his army against them and therefore bring fear among the Romans. However he then uses his high position as a general to turn the Volscians against Caius after him deciding against the attack on Rome. The theme of power in the play can show how Coriolanus was unfortunate to be born in an era where putting good military service and being a hero to Rome was not enough to have political power due to his lack of knowledge and care for the people in the lower classes.