Practice IOC Coriolanus (Act IV, scene v)

Annotated copy of passage

Theme of Power | Coriolanus

            The political play Coriolanus (1605-1608), sets in the early Republican Rome in 491 B.C. Shakespeare projects the transition of power from a monarchy to a democratic government, where officials are elected. Due to this shift in power, Shakespeare indulges and develops this theme of power to display the battle of social and political power developing to its principles. Shakespeare achieves this by presenting various characters who represent different respective fates and natures of power. While the protagonist, Caius Martius Coriolanus, trivializes the plebeian’s “breaths,” he beholds a fate of authority and is characterized as a demigod who is an influential leader in warfare. However, Coriolanus’ virtue of power changes, as his flaw of his pride critically leads him to his downfall in Act 5. This is also presented near the end of the play as his power leads to an instilled fear in Rome. At first, Coriolanus is like a “lonely dragon” (IV.iii.), developing to fight “dragon-like” (IV.vii) and finally grows “from a man to a dragon” (V.iv). This displays the danger that arises from his ancient and archaic power which is no longer suitable in Rome. His inflexible nature is stretched by Volumnia through her persuasive techniques regarding her desire for violence and power. Contrarily to Coriolanus, Volumnia and Aufidius are attentive of the changes in politics and parliament. Hence, the downfall of Coriolanus’ power articulates Shakespeare’s theme, communicating that inflexible and archaic power within the context of an evolving England cannot allow for a reconstruction of the political system. Furthermore, Shakespeare questions the audience regarding the virtues of power to communicate that the nature of physical and political power is a continuously changing potential which must flow with society for success to emerge, in which compassion takes no pivotal stance.