Coriolanus story
Coriolanus is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. It is one of the last two tragedies written by Shakespeare, along with Antony and Cleopatra. Coriolanus is the name given to a Roman general after his military success against various uprisings challenging the government of Rome. Following this success, Coriolanus becomes active in politics and seeks political leadership. His temperament is unsuited for popular leadership and he is quickly deposed, whereupon he aligns himself to set matters straight according to his own will. The alliances he forges along the way result in his ultimate downfall.
16 total · 3 choice · 7 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| heroism | choice | Marcius was a valorous hero reluctant to be worshiped as he were |
| pride | choice | Marcius problems in Rome all stemmed from his pride towards aristocrats and commoners alike |
| the need to maintain an image | choice | Marcius was excessively concerned with his image whenever he rejected praise, and was reluctant to show his wounds. |
| attitude of superiority | major | Marcius acted condescendingly towards "the people" whose support he needed to be consul |
| betrayal | major | Marcius betrayed his former allies in Rome, then his new ally Aufidius; he also considered himself betrayed by the ungrateful people in Rome |
| contraposed political ideologies | major | aristocracy vs. commoners regarding food scarcity and grain stores, later Marcius talked in disgust about allowing commoners any political power |
| courtly intrigues | major | By his valor in war Marcius became a political figure but being a simple man he was easily outmaneuvered by his detractors. |
| mother and son | major | Volumnia and Marcius |
| the desire for vengeance | major | Afidius wanted reveng on MArcius; later MArcius wanted to wreck vengeance on Rome |
| treason | major | After being exiled from Rome, Coriolanus went over to the enemy. Marcius committed treason to Rome, then was accused of the same to Volumnia by Aufidius when he made peace. |