Themes (Coriolanus)

This section explores the key themes in the play Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s most politically charged plays, delving into the complex relationships between individuals and the state, and between the ruling elite and the common people. Below are the key themes explored in the play, offering insight into the major ideas Shakespeare examines.

Pride and Honour

Overview

Pride is a central theme in Coriolanus, primarily embodied in the character of the protagonist. Honour, linked to both personal identity and societal values, is closely tied to pride throughout the play.

Coriolanus’ Pride

Flaw and Downfall: Coriolanus' overwhelming pride is both his greatest strength and his tragic flaw (hamartia). His refusal to compromise or lower himself to the plebeians is driven by an unshakeable belief in his superiority, particularly as a soldier. His downfall comes from his inability to navigate the political sphere, where humility and diplomacy are required.

Martial Honour: For Coriolanus, honour is defined by his achievements in battle. He believes his military successes should naturally elevate him to a position of power. However, he fails to understand that political office in Rome requires the approval of the people, a reality that he resents.

Volumnia’s Notion of Honour

Maternal Influence: Volumnia’s idea of honour is closely tied to Roman ideals of masculinity and military valour. She encourages Coriolanus to embrace public honour and political ambition, pushing him towards the consulship. For her, honour comes through public recognition, which is why she insists on his participation in the political process, despite his reluctance.

Conflict Between Personal and Public Honour

Coriolanus is torn between his sense of personal honour, which he refuses to compromise, and the demands of public honour, which require him to ingratiate himself with the plebeians. His rejection of the gown of humility and his refusal to display his war wounds symbolise his resistance to the idea of earning honour through popular approval.

Power and Politics

Overview

The struggle for power, both personal and political, is at the heart of Coriolanus. The play explores the dynamics between different political systems and the conflicts that arise when individuals seek power in ways that clash with societal expectations.

Coriolanus and Power

Military vs Political Power: Coriolanus is a powerful soldier but is ill-suited for political life. His strength lies in warfare, where power is gained through individual achievement. However, in Rome, political power depends on popular support, and Coriolanus’ contempt for the plebeians leaves him unable to wield this power effectively.

Exile and Vengeance: After his exile, Coriolanus seeks revenge on Rome by allying with his former enemy, Tullus Aufidius. This act illustrates the tension between personal power and loyalty to the state, as Coriolanus is willing to betray his own country to assert his personal authority.

The Role of the Tribunes

Popular Power: The tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, represent the political power of the common people. They manipulate the plebeians and use popular discontent to oust Coriolanus from power. Their actions raise questions about the nature of democracy and whether the voice of the people is always just or wise.

Political Manipulation: Shakespeare presents the tribunes as politically cunning, skilled in the art of manipulation. They exploit Coriolanus’ arrogance to rally the people against him, demonstrating that power in politics often comes from persuasion rather than brute strength.

Volumnia’s Influence on Power

Maternal Ambition: Volumnia exerts considerable power over Coriolanus, shaping his ambition and decisions. In Act V, her successful appeal to him to spare Rome highlights her political influence, as Coriolanus capitulates to her will, demonstrating the complex interplay between familial loyalty and political decision-making.

Class Conflict

Overview

Class tensions are a driving force in Coriolanus. The conflict between the patricians (the aristocratic ruling class) and the plebeians (the common people) mirrors on-going debates about social inequality and political representation.

Patricians vs Plebeians

Coriolanus’ Contempt for the Plebeians: Coriolanus’ disdain for the plebeians reflects the deep divide between the ruling elite and the common people. He sees the plebeians as weak, fickle, and unworthy of political power, considering them only useful for fighting in wars. His refusal to pander to them during his bid for the consulship is driven by this contempt, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

The Plebeians’ Grievances: The plebeians, on the other hand, represent the voice of the common people who demand more political power and fairer access to resources, especially grain. Their protests against famine and their role in Coriolanus’ banishment highlight the growing desire for political representation and the redistribution of power.

The Tribunes as Champions of the People

Sicinius and Brutus represent the plebeians in their struggle against the patrician class. They advocate for the rights of the common people and seek to curb the influence of the aristocracy. However, their manipulation of the plebeians raises questions about the sincerity of their leadership and whether they are truly acting in the people’s best interests or simply pursuing their own political gain.

Democracy vs Aristocracy

The play explores the tension between the ideals of democracy and the realities of aristocratic rule. The patricians view themselves as naturally suited to govern, while the plebeians demand a greater share of power. Shakespeare presents a nuanced view of this conflict, showing the flaws of both the patricians’ arrogance and the plebeians’ susceptibility to manipulation.

War and Heroism

Overview

War and the nature of heroism are key themes in Coriolanus. The play examines the role of the soldier in society and questions the traditional notion of the military hero.

Coriolanus as a War Hero

Martial Prowess: Coriolanus is defined by his martial skill and bravery. He earns the title “Coriolanus” after his victory at Corioli, and his reputation as a great warrior is central to his identity. For Coriolanus, heroism is achieved through personal courage and battlefield success.

Heroic Flaws: However, Shakespeare also critiques the concept of the war hero. Coriolanus’ single-minded focus on military achievement blinds him to the demands of civilian life, making him an ineffective leader off the battlefield. His inability to transition from warrior to statesman leads to his political failure and eventual demise.

Aufidius as a Counterpart

Aufidius, the Volscian general, mirrors Coriolanus in his martial abilities and sense of honour. However, unlike Coriolanus, Aufidius is more politically astute and is willing to manipulate and betray to achieve his goals. This contrast between the two men highlights the complexities of heroism and suggests that military success alone is not sufficient for true leadership.

Loyalty and Betrayal

Overview

Loyalty and betrayal are central to the interpersonal dynamics in Coriolanus, with the theme explored through family ties, political allegiances, and personal relationships.

Coriolanus’ Loyalty to Rome

Betrayal of Rome: After his banishment, Coriolanus betrays Rome by aligning with Aufidius and leading the Volscians against his homeland. This act raises questions about the nature of loyalty—whether it is owed to the state, to personal honour, or to family. Coriolanus justifies his actions by feeling wronged by the Roman people, showing how personal pride can override loyalty to one’s country.

Volumnia’s Loyalty to Rome

Maternal Loyalty: Volumnia’s loyalty to Rome is ultimately stronger than her loyalty to her son. When she persuades Coriolanus to spare Rome, she does so out of a sense of duty to the state, even though she knows it may lead to his death. Her appeal highlights the tension between familial loyalty and patriotic duty.

Aufidius’ Betrayal of Coriolanus

Aufidius’ betrayal of Coriolanus in the final act is driven by jealousy and ambition. While they had once been enemies, their uneasy alliance is shattered when Aufidius feels threatened by Coriolanus’ growing influence among the Volscians. This act of betrayal reinforces the idea that loyalty in politics and war is often tenuous and self-serving.

The Role of the Individual vs Society

Overview

A recurring theme in Coriolanus is the conflict between individual identity and societal expectations. The play raises questions about the role of the individual in society and the tensions that arise when personal beliefs clash with public duty.

Coriolanus as an Outsider

Coriolanus is fundamentally an outsider in Roman society. His personal integrity and commitment to his own values set him apart from the political world, where compromise and populism are necessary. His refusal to conform to societal expectations, especially in terms of humility and public service, isolates him from both the patricians and the plebeians.

Public Duty vs Personal Identity

The play explores the tension between private identity and public duty. Coriolanus is forced to choose between his sense of personal honour and the demands of public office. His eventual downfall is the result of his inability to reconcile these two aspects of his life.

Conclusion

The themes in Coriolanus: pride, power, class conflict, war, loyalty, and the individual versus society; interact to create a complex portrayal of a man whose virtues are also his greatest weaknesses. Shakespeare’s exploration of political and social dynamics continues to resonate, offering insight into the nature of leadership, heroism, and the fragile balance between personal identity and public responsibility.