Context:
- This passage is from act one scene one.
- The play Coriolanus is a tragedy written by Shakespeare and is based on the life of a roman soldier called Coriolanus.
- In this passage, Coriolanus is introduced to the audience.
Overview and structure:
- In the passage, coriolanus is characterised through this interactions with other characters in the play such as the plebeians.
- The passage involves three characters: Caius Martius, First Citizen and Menenius Agrippa.
- Most of the dialogue is by Caius Martius.
Establishing purpose and significance:
- The passage is mostly focused on the character Caius Martius as this is when he is first introduced to the story. The character impacts the plot heavily as the whole story revolves around his life.
- This passage is building up to events which will occur later on.
- Establishes the relationship between Coriolanus and the plebeians which plays an important role later on in the play.
Sequential Body Analysis:
Chunk 1:
One sided opinion towards the plebeians by Coriolanus is given to the reader.
- “you dissentious rogues” - thinks of the plebeians as lower than him
- “rubbing the poor itch of your opinion” - plebeians opinion does not matter
- first citizen uses sarcasm to reply “we have ever your good word”
- “where he should find you lions, finds you hares” - Animal imagery is also used to further belittle the plebeians
Chunk 2:
A second opinion on plebeians is introduced by Menenius who does not share the same point of view as coriolanus towards the plebeians. In chunk two Coriolanus also responds to Menenius’ opinion, elaborating on his view point.
- “corn at their own rates” - plebeians desire a more equal society in which there is not one, or a couple of people, who are in charge of the whole society.
- “the city is well stored” - Menenius says that the plebeians know that the city is full of food and that the people should not be starving.
- “presume to know / What’s done i’ the Capitol” - Coriolanus believes that the plebeians know what Coriolanus has done to the society and therefore believe that he should be hanged (“Hang ‘em! They say!”)
- “Below their cobbled shoes” - Coriolanus is referencing the poorness of the plebeians, establishing the plebeians in a lower class than himself. This is especially seen at the end of this chunk when Coriolanus cals the plebeians “slaves”
- “Would the nobility lay aside their ruth” - believes that the nobility is not harsh enough and too lenient on the plebeians
Conclusion:
- The main purpose of this passage is to introduce and characterise the character Coriolanus to the audience, as well as to show Coriolanus’ attitude towards plebeians.
- This passage also identifies certain political issues in the society which will play an important role later on in the play.
