Definition of Setting
Key Examples in Coriolanus
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.
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.
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