Blog Post 14 - Coriolanus Act 1
What is Shakespeare's larger purpose in his characterization of Coriolanus in Act 1? Coriolanus, a brave, strong and noble hero in the play. Shakespeare establishes his character in a Roman era with countless conflicts in battlefield and in the capitol. Shakespeare used political views and perspectives to initiate the characterization of Coriolanus. He used this because he wanted to reveal the countless conflicts Roman people had. Firstly during this era, plebeians and patricians had a great divide between social status and wealth. However, Shakespeare depicts Caius Martius as being envied by patricians and most plebeians admire his bravery and hard work in the war. Since he is illustrated to be in the lower - class, he still thinks plebeians do not deserve to have any power or wealth, therefore, he is depicted to be an arrogant man who has no emotion and awareness of other people's feelings. In ancient Rome, heroes would go out of their way to be seen by others, in other w