Blog post #17 - Characterisation of Coriolanus in Act I

William Shakespeare wrote Coriolanus in 1609 which happened to be the last play he wrote before he died, meaning he had 20years experience within this play, but unfortunately this play didn’t catch on with the public until Tom Hiddleston stepped up to perform a rendition of the play. Caius Martius (Coriolanus) was seen to be a war hero and a legend but there were mixed opinions about him. This play was given a political style, and relates very closes with the characteristics of modern politics. Act 1 gave Coriolanus the chance to gain his honour and name.
            As is the case with many leaders, Coriolanus preferred to think for himself and not ask for other people’s opinions, allowing us to relate him with King James. It’s interesting how Shakespeare showed the audience different perspectives or angles of what everyone thought about him. Whereas Virgillia was worried about Coriolanus going war, Volumnia was saying that if he died at war he would die a hero.
Shakespeare made the play so that Coriolanus looked and acted like a different person during his battle time, some would say he has gone berserk; "They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight ... He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce, and he shall feel mine edge" (Act 1 Scene 4).
Overall, act 1 can seen from two perspectives of Coriolanus which Shakespeare has presented to us. The first perspective was his strong military attributes showing he can get the job done once presented with it and the other perspective is the political side which is the everyone dislikes of him.

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