Analysis of Coriolanus' Characterization in Act 1


In the first Act, Shakespeare characterizes Martius as an almost stereotypical alpha male, showcasing his strength in battle and bravery. Nevertheless, it is consistently stressed that one of his tragic flaws is his pride, something that it outlined by both the plebeians and the tribunes of the Senate. Both of the aforementioned are a representation of the superficial and more complex political conflicts that Coriolanus' future in the play will be linked to.  Martius’ pride is particularly emphasis in the first scene where his personality is directly contrasted against Meninius’, who is more apt at cooperating or at least, conversing with the lower classes. It is observed that Martius has little patience and little sense of consequence and empathy, as he fails to see that pleasing the lower classes can be essential for his future in politics and in power. As his rivalry with Aufidius is portrayed, Martius is also characterized as someone whose strengths mostly rely on his physicality and ability to prove himself in battle– this once again continues to contribute to his hyper-masculine character. Additionally, he is characterized as a hero, fearless of the initial antagonist of the play, Aufidius, whom he is able to defeat in battle to save Rome from invation. Nevertheless, as the Act progresses, it can be observed that his personality is complexly interwoven and unpredictable as once he comes back from the battle in Corioles, he pushes his pride aside to make room for modesty. This humbler attitude not only distinguishes him from the other warriors but also somewhat foreshadows to his unpredictability as a character, and hence, of the plot as he is the main focus of the story.

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