Characters (Coriolanus)

This section explores the key characters in the play Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s more complex tragedies, notable for its portrayal of a central character whose flaws lead to his downfall. The play explores themes of pride, politics, class, and loyalty, all embodied in the characters and their relationships. 

Caius Martius Coriolanus

Overview

Coriolanus is the protagonist of the play, a brilliant but deeply flawed Roman general. His character is defined by extreme pride, unwavering integrity, and a contempt for the common people, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

Coriolanus’ Key Traits

Pride and Arrogance: Coriolanus’ pride is his defining flaw. He despises the plebeians, believing that their opinions and voices are insignificant. His inability to temper his arrogance makes him incapable of functioning in the political world, where diplomacy and compromise are necessary.

Bravery and Martial Skill: Coriolanus is an exceptional soldier. He earns his name "Coriolanus" after a victorious campaign against the Volscians at the city of Corioli. His prowess in battle is unquestionable, and he is celebrated by his peers and the patricians of Rome for his courage.

Lack of Political Acumen: While Coriolanus excels in war, he fails miserably in politics. His refusal to pander to the plebeians or pretend humility during his bid for the consulship reveals his inability to navigate the delicate balance of public and private spheres. His downfall is brought about by his uncompromising nature and his disdain for the idea of winning the favour of the common people.

Conflict between Public and Private Self: Throughout the play, Coriolanus grapples with the tension between his personal sense of honour and the demands of public life. His refusal to compromise on his principles is admirable but also self-destructive. He refuses to wear the gown of humility or display his wounds for public approval, considering it beneath him, leading to his rejection by the plebeians and subsequent exile.

Relationship with Volumnia: Coriolanus’ relationship with his mother, Volumnia, is central to understanding his character. He is fiercely loyal to her and seeks her approval above all others. Ultimately, it is her pleas that lead him to abandon his revenge on Rome, resulting in his tragic end.

Tragic Hero

Coriolanus fits the mould of a tragic hero in the Aristotelian sense. His downfall is a result of his hamartia (fatal flaw)—his pride—and his inability to adapt to the demands of a political world. His eventual death at the hands of the Volscians is both inevitable and tragic.

Volumnia

Overview

Volumnia is Coriolanus’ mother, a powerful and domineering figure. She is perhaps the most influential person in Coriolanus’ life and plays a key role in shaping his character. She embodies Roman ideals of martial virtue and public duty, and her influence over her son is profound.

Volumnia’s Key Traits

Patriotic and Militaristic: Volumnia is fiercely patriotic and glorifies war. She has raised Coriolanus to be a warrior, and her pride in his military achievements is immense. She values honour and victory above personal relationships and sees her son as a symbol of Roman strength and nobility.

Manipulative: While Volumnia outwardly presents herself as a loving mother, her relationship with Coriolanus is often seen as manipulative. She moulds him into the figure of a Roman hero and continually exerts control over him. Her emotional plea to Coriolanus in Act V to spare Rome demonstrates her power over him, as he cannot refuse her request, even though it leads to his death.

Ambition: Volumnia’s ambitions for her son are central to her character. She pushes him towards public office and, despite his reluctance, insists that he engage in the political process. Her own sense of honour and reputation is bound up with his achievements, and her disappointment in him during his exile is palpable.

Volumnia as a Tragic Figure

Volumnia could also be considered a tragic figure in the play. While she saves Rome through her successful appeal to Coriolanus, her triumph is short-lived. Her son’s decision to spare the city leads directly to his death, leaving her with the knowledge that her victory cost her the life of her son.

Menenius Agrippa

Overview

Menenius is a patrician and a friend to Coriolanus. He serves as a mediator between Coriolanus and the plebeians, and is one of the few characters who openly expresses affection for Coriolanus. While he is a loyal friend, he is also pragmatic and skilled at navigating the political landscape.

Menenius’ Key Traits

Diplomatic: Menenius is the opposite of Coriolanus in terms of political skill. He is a capable politician and understands the importance of compromise and diplomacy. His attempts to calm the plebeians and persuade them to support Coriolanus demonstrate his awareness of the practicalities of governance.

Affectionate and Loyal: Menenius has a genuine affection for Coriolanus and tries to protect him from his own worst impulses. He advises Coriolanus to soften his stance towards the people and play the political game, though his advice is ignored.

Comic Relief: Menenius provides some of the lighter moments in the play. His wit and humour, especially in his dealings with the plebeians, contrast with the more severe and intense characters like Coriolanus and Volumnia.

Menenius’ Tragic Disillusionment

Menenius’ loyalty to Coriolanus remains until the end, but his inability to influence Coriolanus leads to his disillusionment. His failure to persuade Coriolanus to change his course towards destruction is a source of sorrow, and he ultimately dies in despair, having lost both his friend and his political relevance.

The Tribunes: Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus

Overview

Sicinius and Brutus are the elected representatives of the plebeians, and they act as the antagonists to Coriolanus. Their roles are politically significant, as they champion the rights of the common people against the patrician class.

Key Traits

Cunning and Manipulative: The tribunes are politically astute and understand how to manipulate public opinion. They are adept at exploiting Coriolanus’ weaknesses, especially his arrogance and disdain for the plebeians. Through their rhetoric, they turn the public against Coriolanus, orchestrating his downfall.

Defenders of the People: While their methods are questionable, Sicinius and Brutus see themselves as defenders of the people’s rights against the tyranny of the aristocracy. Their manipulation of the plebeians is justified, in their eyes, by their desire to curb Coriolanus’ perceived threat to Roman democracy.

Morally Ambiguous: The tribunes’ motivations can be seen as self-serving as well as populist. Though they act in the name of the people, their true intent is maintaining their own political power. This ambiguity makes them complex antagonists.

Tullus Aufidius

Overview

Aufidius is Coriolanus’ Volscian counterpart and his greatest military rival. However, his relationship with Coriolanus is more complex than simple enmity. He admires Coriolanus’ military prowess and even forms an uneasy alliance with him.

Aufidius’ Key Traits

Warrior Honour: Like Coriolanus, Aufidius is a skilled and honourable soldier. He respects Coriolanus as a worthy opponent, and their relationship is tinged with a sense of mutual admiration, even though they are enemies on the battlefield.

Ambition and Jealousy: Aufidius is also deeply ambitious, and when Coriolanus defects to the Volscians, Aufidius becomes jealous of Coriolanus’ influence over his own people. This jealousy ultimately leads Aufidius to betray Coriolanus, orchestrating his assassination.

Aufidius as a Mirror to Coriolanus

Aufidius serves as a mirror to Coriolanus, reflecting both the virtues and flaws of the tragic hero. While he is similarly proud and ambitious, Aufidius is more adaptable, willing to use political manoeuvring to achieve his ends. His betrayal of Coriolanus highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and pride.

Conclusion

The characters in Coriolanus embody the play’s central themes of pride, politics, class struggle, and personal honour. Coriolanus’ rigid adherence to his principles, Volumnia’s ambition, the tribunes’ political cunning, and Aufidius’ jealousy all contribute to the unfolding tragedy. Through these complex and multifaceted characters, Shakespeare explores the tensions between individual identity and the demands of society.