Coriolanus is considered a tragedy, primarily due to the tragic downfall of its protagonist, Caius Martius, also known as Coriolanus. The play follows the classical structure of a Shakespearean tragedy, featuring a central character of high stature who experiences a reversal of fortune, leading to a catastrophic end.
Coriolanus, a valiant and skilled military leader, begins the play as a revered hero among the patricians, the aristocratic class of Rome. The tragic flaw that contributes to Coriolanus's downfall, however, is his characteristic pride and inability to conform to the expectations of the common people. His disdain for the plebeians and his refusal to engage in the necessary political rituals and diplomacy alienate him from the masses. Despite his military prowess, Coriolanus lacks the political savvy to navigate the complex landscape of Roman politics, which ultimately seals his tragic fate. His uncompromising nature, while admirable in a military context, becomes a fatal flaw when dealing with the nuanced and delicate nature of politics.
The death of Coriolanus in the final act of the play marks the culmination of his tragic flaws, political miscalculations, and the machinations of those around him, particularly Brutus and Sicinius, two scheming tribunes who represent the plebeians in Roman politics. The play's somber ending, marked by the bloody demise of a once-great hero, evokes a sense of pity and fear, fulfilling Aristotle's classical definition of tragedy.
The play is set in Ancient Rome during a time of deep political turmoil and social unrest. In the social structure of the Roman Republic, political power is distributed among various political institutions, including the Senate and the Tribunes of the Plebs. Within Rome, major settings include the marketplace, where Coriolanus’s brusque attitude earns him the enmity of the Roman masses, and the home of Coriolanus. Some key scenes are set outside of Rome, in the Volscian capital of Corioli and a military encampment.
The play opens with Rome facing both internal and external threats. The city is besieged by the Volscians, a rival tribe from the south of the Italian peninsula. The Volscians are led by the formidable leader, Aufidius. Additionally, the citizens of Rome are discontented due to grain shortages, famine, and political discord. The Roman people are divided between the aristocracy, represented by the patricians, and the commoners, represented by the plebeians. This division creates bitter political tensions between the Roman ruling class, which maintains control over the grain storehouses used to feed the city, and the Roman masses, who have less political power but outnumber the Roman elite. As depicted in the play, Rome is a city with steep social hierarchies and violent class conflicts.
The character of Caius Martius, later known as Coriolanus, is a prominent and skilled Roman general. Though Coriolanus was a real historical figure from the history of the Roman Republican period, Shakespeare draws from accounts of this figure that are largely based in legend. His incredible military success against the Volscians elevates him to hero status among the patricians but also makes him a target for the plebeians who feel neglected and mistreated.
