Historical Context (Coriolanus)

This section explains the historical context of the play Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. Coriolanus is one of William Shakespeare’s Roman plays, written around 1605-1608. It is based on the life of the legendary Roman general Caius Marcius, later known as Coriolanus, whose story is primarily derived from the accounts of ancient historians, particularly Plutarch's Lives. The play explores themes of political power, class struggle, war, and the complex relationship between the individual and society.

Historical Sources

Shakespeare based Coriolanus largely on the writings of the Greek historian Plutarch, whose work Parallel Lives compared the lives of famous Greeks and Romans. The life of Coriolanus is documented in Plutarch’s Life of Coriolanus. Shakespeare followed Plutarch's account closely but, as always, adapted the story for dramatic effect.

Plutarch's Lives was translated into English by Sir Thomas North in 1579, and Shakespeare relied heavily on this translation for his Roman plays. The character of Coriolanus, as presented by Shakespeare, aligns closely with the image in Plutarch’s work: a proud, unyielding warrior, who struggles to reconcile his private honour with public demands.

Roman Republicanism

The play is set in the early years of the Roman Republic, a time of social and political turbulence. Rome, having recently overthrown its monarchy, was attempting to establish a functioning republic, and much of the tension in Coriolanus stems from this transition.

Patricians vs Plebeians: One of the central conflicts in the play is the struggle between the patricians (the aristocratic ruling class) and the plebeians (the common citizens). In the early Roman Republic, the patricians held most of the political power, but the plebeians were beginning to demand more rights, leading to frequent tensions. The establishment of the role of the tribunes: officials elected by the plebeians to represent their interests; was a significant development during this period.

Tribunes: In the play, the tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, represent the voice of the common people, acting as their political defenders against the patrician class, including Coriolanus. This dynamic reflects the historical rise of the plebeians’ political power in early Rome, following years of conflict over economic inequality and political disenfranchisement.

Shakespeare’s depiction of this class struggle would have resonated with his contemporary audience, as similar tensions were present in early 17th-century England, where growing unrest was visible between different social groups.

The Early 17th-Century Context

Although set in ancient Rome, Coriolanus is deeply influenced by the political and social concerns of Jacobean England:

Absolutism vs Republicanism: The play reflects early modern debates about governance, particularly the tension between monarchy and emerging ideas of republicanism. Coriolanus, as a figure of uncompromising personal authority, represents a kind of absolutism, while the tribunes and plebeians represent a more republican, democratic impulse. In Shakespeare’s time, England was grappling with similar issues, especially regarding the power of the monarchy under James I, who believed in the divine right of kings and sought to strengthen royal authority.

Social Unrest: The early 17th century was a time of increasing social inequality and unrest in England. The Enclosure Acts, which saw common land fenced off for private use, had resulted in widespread hardship among the lower classes. The food shortages and rising grain prices, which are depicted in the play's opening scenes, would have been familiar to Shakespeare’s audience, particularly in the wake of harvest failures in the late 1590s and early 1600s. The plebeians’ grievances against the ruling class mirror the anxieties of the common people in England, who were also protesting against economic hardship and their lack of political representation.

Military and Civic Duty: Another theme that resonated with Shakespeare’s audience was the question of military service and civic duty. England at the time was facing its own military challenges, including on-going conflicts with Spain and the legacy of the failed attempt at colonisation in the Americas. The image of Coriolanus as a heroic soldier but a poor politician highlights the tensions between martial glory and political responsibility, a theme that would have been relevant in the context of England’s military engagements and its growing concerns about governance.

Elizabethan and Jacobean Politics

Divine Right of Kings: Shakespeare wrote during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, both of whom believed in the divine right of kings. This belief held that the monarch's authority was ordained by God, making rebellion or resistance to their rule not only illegal but sinful. In Coriolanus, the idea of leadership and power is central. Coriolanus himself struggles with the notion of being controlled or subject to the will of the people, much as James I resisted parliamentary control. The play examines what happens when rulers refuse to listen to the demands of the people or when the people rise against those in power.

Fear of Rebellion: The Jacobean period saw an increased fear of rebellion and civil unrest. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament, would have been fresh in the minds of Shakespeare’s audience when Coriolanus was performed. The play reflects these anxieties through the plebeians’ mob-like behaviour, and Coriolanus’ own eventual betrayal of Rome, leading to civil strife and the threat of violence.

Machiavellian Politics

During Shakespeare’s time, the ideas of Niccolò Machiavelli, particularly those expressed in The Prince (1513), had become widely known. Machiavelli advocated for political pragmatism, arguing that rulers must be willing to be ruthless and cunning to maintain power.

In Coriolanus, Shakespeare explores these Machiavellian ideas through the complex political manoeuvring of various characters. Coriolanus, despite his military brilliance, is unable to master the art of political manipulation, unlike the tribunes and Volumnia, who understand the importance of political pragmatism and persuasion.

Conclusion

Coriolanus is not only a play about ancient Roman political conflicts but also a reflection of early modern concerns about governance, class struggles, and individual authority. By exploring the historical context of both the Roman Republic and Shakespeare’s Jacobean England, it becomes clear how Coriolanus resonates with the societal and political tensions of Shakespeare's time. This makes the play not only a historical drama but also a profound commentary on the nature of power and politics.