Characterization of Coriolanus Act 1

We are presented with a particularly hated man, one of such bitterness that all the citizens of the city he had saved twice before hate him and see him as a larger enemy than their adversaries from Corioles. Often speaking of him with distaste, "He's a very dog to the common man" (Coriolanus Act 1, Scene 1, line 27), this anger stems primarily from his lack of empathy for others he views as below him. This might seem as if he is quite cocky and arrogant, these traits are more misinterpreted by the citizens or common men of Rome. For Martius is later developed as a noble warrior who pushes himself to his lists for his country and those he lack any respect for him or other higher class members of society. We are more informed of his strength and drive as a leader when in scene 3 his wife and mother are sewing and speaking about Martius, his mother Volumniais is very compassionate about her son even saying how if she was Martius wife that she would never mind how often he is gone to fight. This is later explained to be a key aspect of Martius' personality, he always looks for the greater good a his country and puts his own life on the line for pride and honor of himself and his nation.

During his countless battles Martius has demonstrated great power and nobility, as previously mentioned he fights to the bitter end, even when in the face of death against his greatest rival and enemy Tullus. Tulles during their fight was accompanied by Volsces, very dishonorable during a duel which even Tulles commented on, despite this unfair advantage of two on one Martius prevailed. He stood victorious with injuries all across his body, however he still acts as a great leader, with nobility and modesty asking not to be congratulated yet and rewarded for their victory, telling to spare a mans life who he they had captured. This wise, noble and modest nature is very commonly seen in many of the demigods or myths of ancient Greece and Rome. One of the Demi Gods that could be mostly related to Coriolanus is Hercules the Demi God of immense strength and the son of Zeus.

Some qualities shared between the two individuals are their modesty never accepting great riches without reason, never flaunting their inhuman strength on frivolous acts. This immense strength is another trait they share, constantly proving themselves more powerful than nearly every opposing force, from what we know Hercules and Coriolanus alike have not lost any battle that relies on strength as a determining factor for victory. Finally they are both meant to be more than just human, they are supposed to be perceived as a stage above the common man, in Hercules' case he is half God, and Coriolanus is of noble decent however he shows power equitable to a Demi God. This is intentionally done by Shakespeare to show how in many ways Coriolanus is meant to be similar to a Demi God in nature, this also explains why he tends to look down upon most other people in his life. It also creates a link between Roman mythology and story telling of Shakespeare's time, both are well known by the members of society in the 17th century.

Vernacular analyses of text

The quote I will be using in the aid of my analyses is from Bell hook, ". An unbroken connection exists between the broken English of the displaced, enslaved African and the diverse black vernacular speech black folks use today. In both cases, the rupture of standard English enabled and enables rebellion and resistance. By transforming the oppressor’s language, making a culture of resistance, black people created an intimate speech that could say far more than was permissible within the boundaries of standard English."