Introductory Blog Post

Coriolanus could be seen as a commentary of James I’s England, as the story revolves around the political state of Rome undergoing transitions from a monarchy into a democracy. The story’s protagonist is Coriolanus, a military general from Rome who eventually turns against his city due to his inability to balance between military and political power. Coriolanus thus dominates military power but lacks in political strategic understanding. His fate leads to his death by the hands of Tullus Aufidius because he was unable to be flexible in his values and to strategize politically. Aufidius, on the other hand, is a Volsce and is the enemy of Rome. He is vastly different to Coriolanus because of his understanding of politics, and his ability to be flexible in his values. When Coriolanus comes to offer his service after being banished, Aufidius is able to place his grudges aside to create an alliance that will provide him with the upper hand later in the play. His opportunistic nature makes...

Being one of Shakespeare's final plays, Coriolanus is set in Ancient Rome in its stages of an early Republic. In his play, Shakespeare reflects on the political context of England during the authoritarian rule of King James I (1603 - 1625). The play heavily discusses social and political issues. In this setting, Act I the characters are introduced and the main external conflict is constructed. Shakespeare builds Coriolanus' struggle for power through his lack of verbal self-control. In his characterization of Coriolanus in Act I, Shakespeare displays Coriolanus' lack of political insight, leading to the larger purpose - to draw a strong parallel between the two figures Coriolanus and King James I. In Act I, the Roman plebeians riot against the patricians due to food shortages. Shakespeare introduces two contradictory characters Menenius and Coriolanus through direct and indirect characterization. Coriolanus is presented as the 'chief enemy to the people. The plebe...