Characterisation of Coriolanus

In the first act of the play Coriolanus, Shakespeare establishes and foreshadows the key conflict between Coriolanus and the common people, and with Aufidius, mainly through the characterisation of the main protagonist, Coriolanus. In battle, he is portrayed as a brave and strong war hero, however in the city and the capitol building his flaws come to shine, as he is portrayed as a stubborn and arrogant patrician. 

The play begins with the plebeians rioting in the streets of Rome as they have a shortage of grain. Coriolanus is mainly blamed for this as he is viewed as the “chief enemy to the people” (1.1.6) by the citizens of rome. In Scene 1 of Act 1, Coriolanus is portrayed as an arrogant and stubborn patrician due to his lack of respect for the plebeians, the lower class of Roman Society, which thus justifies their hatred towards Coriolanus. “What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues,/That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,/Make yourselves scabs?” (1.1.164-167). His arrogance is seen clearly in this quote as he addresses the plebeians as dissentious rogues, as well as calling their opinion a “poor itch”, meaning that their opinion doesn't matter and is worthless. This foreshadows Coriolanus’s eventual downfall as well as conflicts with the plebeians further on in the play, when he is in the need of the plebeians’s votes in order to achieve the rank of consul.

In contrast with his flawed traits which eventually will cause his downfall, he is portrayed as a brave and fearless war hero on the battlefield. In order to convey this, Shakespeare uses specific events which showcase Coriolanus’s heroism, such as when he recklessly attacks a group of enemy soldiers by himself. Unlike his arrogance which is seen in the city of rome, Coriolanus is portrayed as a humble man in battle. Instead of boasting about his victory after the war, he shows modesty when praised, asking Titus Lartius to “praise [him] not” (1.5.590). Even though a great change in the character of Coriolanus is seen between the first scene and later scenes in act one, his arrogance seems to prevail as he once again belittles the soldiers under his command, calling them the “shames of Rome” (1.4.524). This foreshadows Coriolanus’s downfall due to his inability to effectively communicate with others.

Shakespeare depicts Coriolanus as a very complex character, who displays heroism in battle, and arrogance towards others. Even though in battle he is portrayed as a very different character when compared to himself in the city, his flaws tends to prevail, as seen by the way he addresses his soldiers whilst fighting by their side. This foreshadows future conflicts which will arise from him talking to others in such a arrogant and stubborn way, which will then ultimately cause his downfall.