Coriolanus Individual Oral Commentary Outline:

Introduction:

The passage presented is from the play ‘Coriolanus’ written by William Shakespeare. Through this work of literature, Shakespeare explores the physical and internal implications that are inflicted due to the political shift from monarchy to democracy.  Shakespeare studies the influence of power on people and provides a social commentary in which he advocates the distribution of power.

This passage is situated in act one scene one of the play. Preceding this passage, the citizens of the Capitol revolt against the government due to high corn prices and ask the Senators to restore their basic rights. Following this passage Aufidius plans to go to war against Caius Martius.

In this passage Caius Martius talks to Menenius talk about the plebeians revolution. Caius Martius reveals his disgust with the plebians’ attitudes and their lack of respect for authoritative figures.

This passage is significant as it characterizes Caius Martius and reveals his hubris. This passage pushes forward the theme of power and the abuse of power against the weak.

This commentary will follow a sequential analysis...

Section one (lines 1-26):

• Caius Martius insults the Second Citizen.
• Caius Martius proceeds by insulting all the plebeians and revealing how they disgust him.
• Caius Martius finds out that the plebeians are revolting against the government due to the high prices of corn.
• Animal Imagery: “You Curs” “Where he should find you lions, finds you hares; where foxes, geese.”
•  Antithesis “Where he should find you lions, finds you hares; where foxes, geese” “Coal of fire upon the ice, or hailstone in the sun.”
• Sarcasm “We have ever your good word.”
• Foreshadow: “Your affections are a sick man’s appetite.” Rome has a diseased body politic. Coriolanus may be the disease that Rome, however he blames the plebeians.

Section two (lines 27-41):

• Caius Martius says that through revolution the plebeians are only hurting themselves and making themselves prone to abuse by foreign invaders.
•  Threatening tone.
• Warfare is associated with nobility.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, in this passage Shakespeare characterizes Coriolanus through his use of imagery and dialogue. This passage is significant to the play as it foreshadows the downfall of Rome and characterizes the play’s main character, Caius Martius.