Full size book cover of The Tragedy of Coriolanus}

The Tragedy of Coriolanus

William Shakespeare, Jan H. Blits

3.72(18456 readers)
Intended for a wide audience, Jan Blits’s edition of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Coriolanus differs from other such editions by focusing upon ancient sources to highlight the play’s setting during the founding of the Roman Republic. In doing so it sheds new light on both the action of the play and the historical and political significance of its setting.

Publisher

Focus

Publication Date

9/23/2020

ISBN

9781585109593

Pages

304

Categories

Literature

About the Author

Portrait of author William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Questions & Answers

Shakespeare's portrayal of Coriolanus reflects the tension between individual virtue and political realities through his character's absolutist view of virtue. Coriolanus, embodying Rome's ideal of valor, seeks to be "nothing but virtue," but his inflexible adherence to this principle leads to conflict. His pride and disdain for the plebeians and the mixed regime of Rome highlight the disconnect between his individualistic virtue and the need for political compromise. His inability to adapt to the political realities of Rome, such as the tribunate, ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating the limitations of individual virtue in the complex political landscape of ancient Rome. Shakespeare's play thus explores the tension between the pursuit of personal ideals and the demands of political life.

The concept of 'spirit' is central to shaping Coriolanus' actions and decisions. It represents his inner strength, pride, and sense of honor, often leading him into conflict. Coriolanus' spirit fuels his valor in battle and his pride in his own nobility, but it also causes him to be inflexible and stubborn. His spirit leads him to disdain the plebeians and the tribunes, as he believes they do not deserve his respect. This pride ultimately leads to his downfall, as his inability to compromise and his self-destructive nature result in his betrayal of Rome and his tragic end. The paradox of spirit is that while it propels him to greatness, it also leads to his self-destruction.

Shakespeare employs the historical context of ancient Rome to deepen the political and social commentary in "Coriolanus." By situating the play during the founding of the Roman Republic, he highlights the tension between martial prowess and self-sufficient virtue, reflecting the early Roman Republic's struggle with internal divisions and external threats. The Roman setting underscores themes of honor, pride, and the nature of leadership, as seen in Coriolanus' character. The play's exploration of the tribunate and the plebeian struggle for rights resonates with the historical Roman context, enriching the political commentary. Additionally, Shakespeare's use of ancient sources and the Roman world's political and social norms allows for a nuanced understanding of the characters' motivations and actions, making the play's commentary on power, justice, and the individual's role in society more profound.

The play "Coriolanus" explores the complex interplay between honor, pride, and power, leading to Coriolanus's tragic demise. Honor is depicted as a driving force for Coriolanus, as he seeks recognition and validation through his military prowess and public service. However, his pride, rooted in his belief in absolute virtue and his disdain for the common people, leads to his isolation and eventual downfall. Power, particularly political power, is a central theme, as Coriolanus's struggle with the tribunes and his rejection of compromise with the plebeians exemplify the tension between individual honor and the collective good. His rigid adherence to his principles, while initially admired, ultimately isolates him from those who could have supported him. The tragic outcome for Coriolanus is a result of his inability to reconcile his pride with the need for political compromise and the collective well-being, leading to his betrayal by Rome and his ultimate defeat by Aufidius.

The play "Coriolanus" challenges and reinforces traditional views of masculinity and warriors in society through its portrayal of the protagonist, Coriolanus. On one hand, it reinforces the traditional view that warriors are the embodiment of masculine virtue, as Coriolanus is celebrated for his unmatched courage and valor in battle. His actions, such as single-handedly defeating Corioles, are seen as heroic and divine, with even his enemies acknowledging his prowess.

On the other hand, the play challenges these views by highlighting the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in Coriolanus' character. His excessive pride and inflexibility lead to his downfall, illustrating that the traditional warrior ideal can be destructive. The play also questions the role of warriors in society, as Coriolanus' inability to adapt to the political realities of Rome ultimately leads to his isolation and betrayal. This challenges the notion that warriors are solely valued for their military prowess, suggesting that political acumen and adaptability are also crucial traits for leadership.

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