Coriolanus:
Hello,
It has been a while since we last spoke, luckily for you, today I bring you the work of Shakespeare. Let us devour and digest the play ‘Coriolanus’ together. Today I will be looking at Shakespeare’s craft and his characterization of Caius Martius (Coriolanus) in Act I through analyzing actions, dialogue and setting. I will then be examine the purpose of establishing Caius Martius (Coriolanus) in that manner and its impact on the play wholly.
In Act I of the play, Shakespeare characterizes Caius Martius (Coriolanus) as a war hero, he frequently draws parallels between mythological Greek hero’s and Caius Martius (Coriolanus). Shakespeare introduces Caius Martius (Coriolanus) as a character whose life revolves around war. His mother Volumnia says she was not involved in Caius Martius (Coriolanus)’s upbringing. “To a cruel war I sent him, from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now first seeing he has proved himself a man.” (Act 1 scene 3). Volumnia states that Coriolanus was raised by war as it is his life’s purpose. Similarly to many Greek hero’s such as Hector, Archilles, Hercules and Aneas, Greek hero’s are usually warlike and battle leaders. In act I, Volumnia says a prophecy regarding the war Caius Martius (Coriolanus) went to, she says “Methinks I hear hither your husband’s drum, see him pluck Aufidius down by th’ hair; as children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him. Methinks I see him stamp thus and call thus: “Come on, you cowards! You were got in fear, though you were born in Rome.” (Act 1 scene 3). Shakespeare drew a latent parallel between Caius Martius (Coriolanus) and the famous Greek warrior Paris, son of Queen Hecuba. Queen Hecuba has a prophecy during her pregnancy entailing that her son Paris will cause the downfall of troy (which eventually does happen). Moreover, Shakespeare proceeds to draw a direct comparison between Coriolanus and other legendary Greek heros. The relationship of Virgilia and Caius Martius (Coriolanus) is compared to the relationship of Penelope and Ulysses (the Greek King and war hero) as seen in the following allusion, “You would be another Penelope. Yet they say all the yarn she in Ulysses’ absence did but full of moths.” (Act 1 scene 3). Volumnia is comparing the manner in which Virgilia is coping with her struggles as she awaits her lord Caius Martius (Coriolanus) to Penelope’s struggles as she waited for Ulysses for twenty-years. The correlation between the struggle of Penelope and Virgilia implies that Coriolanus and Ulysses are of the same status and they share a similar lifestyle as they are both heros. Shakespeare draws another connection between Coriolanus and Greek war heros in the following allusion “It more becomes a man than gilt his trophy. The brests of Hecuba, when she did suckle Hector, when she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood at Grecian sword, contemning.” (Act 1 scene 3). As Volumnia attempts to persuade Virgilia of the beauty and honor that accompanies war, she relates her son Caius Martius (Coriolanus)’s war pride to the Hector (a highly respected Trojan war leader). Shakespeare describes Caius Martius (Coriolanus)’s power and war skills as though they were God-like or superhuman. “Martius fights till they be driven in breathless.” (Act I Scene 8). Caius Martius (Coriolanus) is seen as a determined, brave and incredibly powerful war leader. Finally, a Greek hero would not be a Greek hero if he was not respected by the masses, thus Shakespeare portrays Caius Martius (Coriolanus) as a highly respected war hero. “We thank the gods our Rome hath such a soldier. ” Act I Scene 8, Coriolanus is seen as Rome’s gift from the gods because he has worked diligently to protect it. “Rome must know the value of her own.” (Act I Scene 8), Caius Martius (Coriolanus)’s achievements are so respected that all of the Roman’s are aware of his importance and his influence on their lives, similar to how the Greek heros are respected on a national scale. The crowds chant “Matrius Caius Coriolanus!” (Act 1 scene 9) as their savior and war leader walks amongst them, much like the manner in which the Trojan crowd chanted Achilles’ name as he bravely challenged an entire army.
The reason Shakespeare began the play by establishing Coriolanus as a Greek war hero is because Shakespeare wanted to write a powerful and intriguing play for his Elizabethan audience, they were individuals who were thoroughly educated in Greek and Latin and enjoyed Greek mythology. All the plays written at the time were related to Greek mythology in one way or another. However, Shakespeare decided to put a twist on this theme. He presented the play with a hero similar to the Greek heroes they all know and love, but proceeded to write a political play that will truly speak to the audience in that it reflects the struggle the political struggle they have faced with King James I.
