Shakespeare depicts Caius
Martius through the lens of different perspectives in Rome as a dominant,
inspiring, high status figure, and as an arrogant unyielding force to deal
with. This is done throughout the play with the use of direct and indirect characterization
of Coriolanus for the larger purpose of introducing the numerous conflicts
within the play, the introduction of a hero-like character with his strengths
and flaws, and how these later play a pivotal role in foreshadowing his
downfall.
In the beginning of Act 1 Scene 1, the plebeians are seen protesting and threatening to revolt to the change grain prizes, and straightaway it is seen that they have come to a single common target in Caius Martius "Caius Coriolanus is chief enemy to the people."(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 7). One side of Coriolanus is immediately shown with how he is "a very dog to the commonalty"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 9) and how when the citizens are discussing his service to the country trying to justify his actions against him, they dont believe he did it for reasons other than personal gain, referring to his mother Volumnia "He did it to please his mother and to be partly proud"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 9). This conflict between Martius and the common people further develops after his introduction in the play, describing the plebeians as "dissentious rogues"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 17) which only angers them even more and reveals the lack of political knowledge and speech which greatly contrasts with that of him in the battlefield. This early section of Act 1 gives us an important plot in the play where it can be seen that Coriolanus does not have a good relationship with the peasants, something which would later play an important role when Martius decides to became consul. This hate from Coriolanus towards the lower classes of Rome is self-justified with his actions in war (later in Corioles), how the patricians are the most involved in the fighting and are in the front line, proving their worth, while the citizens would be seen making up the numbers in back.
The other side of Coriolanus is seen later on Act 1 as he goes up against the Volsces in the battle of Corioles. In the battlefield, he manages to prove himself physically, Shakespeare showing his leadership and demi-god abilities which get him off a very disadvantaged position with just enough scars to prove his service in the military. This shows how he managed to put Rome before himself "If any think brave death outweighs bad life, and that his country's dearer than himself; let him alone, or so many minded wave thus, to express his disposition and follow Marcius" inspiring his soldiers with multiple types of inspirational speeches and threats as a strategy to galvanize the men of Rome into action. This manifests a higher status and respect from the both the patricians and the plebeians as he doesn't even accept a reward for his service after the war "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.". He stands up as one man army during the latter stages of the war at Corioles and has a performance which makes a strong argument towards taking the position as a consul. However due to his lack of connections with the people who have the final say on the matter as well as very limited knowledge in politics can foreshadow his rejection by the tribunes who represent the plebeians.
Lastly it can be seen that with the characterization of the Coriolanus throughout the first act Shakespeare managed to convey a larger message and purpose by foreshadowing future events and plots to be taken place such as Coriolanus's death, his rejection as a consul and possible exile from Rome. Shakespeare shows the two sides of Caius Martius on both settings (Rome-politics, Corioles-war) in which later develops to re-establish his position as a hero in this play by showing his strengths and the eventual appearance of his weaknesses which lead Coriolanus to exile and death.
In the beginning of Act 1 Scene 1, the plebeians are seen protesting and threatening to revolt to the change grain prizes, and straightaway it is seen that they have come to a single common target in Caius Martius "Caius Coriolanus is chief enemy to the people."(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 7). One side of Coriolanus is immediately shown with how he is "a very dog to the commonalty"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 9) and how when the citizens are discussing his service to the country trying to justify his actions against him, they dont believe he did it for reasons other than personal gain, referring to his mother Volumnia "He did it to please his mother and to be partly proud"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 9). This conflict between Martius and the common people further develops after his introduction in the play, describing the plebeians as "dissentious rogues"(Act 1 Scene 1, Page 17) which only angers them even more and reveals the lack of political knowledge and speech which greatly contrasts with that of him in the battlefield. This early section of Act 1 gives us an important plot in the play where it can be seen that Coriolanus does not have a good relationship with the peasants, something which would later play an important role when Martius decides to became consul. This hate from Coriolanus towards the lower classes of Rome is self-justified with his actions in war (later in Corioles), how the patricians are the most involved in the fighting and are in the front line, proving their worth, while the citizens would be seen making up the numbers in back.
The other side of Coriolanus is seen later on Act 1 as he goes up against the Volsces in the battle of Corioles. In the battlefield, he manages to prove himself physically, Shakespeare showing his leadership and demi-god abilities which get him off a very disadvantaged position with just enough scars to prove his service in the military. This shows how he managed to put Rome before himself "If any think brave death outweighs bad life, and that his country's dearer than himself; let him alone, or so many minded wave thus, to express his disposition and follow Marcius" inspiring his soldiers with multiple types of inspirational speeches and threats as a strategy to galvanize the men of Rome into action. This manifests a higher status and respect from the both the patricians and the plebeians as he doesn't even accept a reward for his service after the war "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.". He stands up as one man army during the latter stages of the war at Corioles and has a performance which makes a strong argument towards taking the position as a consul. However due to his lack of connections with the people who have the final say on the matter as well as very limited knowledge in politics can foreshadow his rejection by the tribunes who represent the plebeians.
Lastly it can be seen that with the characterization of the Coriolanus throughout the first act Shakespeare managed to convey a larger message and purpose by foreshadowing future events and plots to be taken place such as Coriolanus's death, his rejection as a consul and possible exile from Rome. Shakespeare shows the two sides of Caius Martius on both settings (Rome-politics, Corioles-war) in which later develops to re-establish his position as a hero in this play by showing his strengths and the eventual appearance of his weaknesses which lead Coriolanus to exile and death.
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