In the beginning of Shakespeare’s play, Coriolanus, many
events happen in which helps directly and indirectly characterize Marcius. This
is something average and that any play should accomplish. However, a deeper
look at the characterization can reveal the larger purpose of his characterization
in act one.
Let’s start with the genre. Usually a play like this from Shakespeare
is heralded as a tragedy. Although it does have qualities that inherently make
it a tragedy, it is considered a political play. The characterization usually
begins to fulfil at the apex of the climax in a play. This is to indirectly characterize
the character’s qualities though his actions. But this play does not have that copacetic
layout that we are accustomed to. The climax of the play is the start of the
play. The action and combat takes place at the beginning of the play rather
than the middle. The battle of the Volsces. The climax would be the most
coherent place to indirectly show the characteristics of a Coriolanus in
battle. What does this mean for the purpose. Well as this looks more at
politics and less at “your average tragedy play”, it makes sense that the
layout of the plot would be so paramount compared to tragedies. And that it
makes it easier for the viewer to understand why Coriolanus might do what he is
doing. Instead of questioning themselves, the viewer can now understand the character
of Coriolanus.
Another, would be the setting. The act largely takes place
at a battle setting. This would be the rising action of the play already before
he gets exiled (more on that later). In the setting, there wouldn’t be many
moments were a character can start a dialogue constantly or have a conversation
with another character. It just continuous battle. But the author takes
advantage of this scene to indirectly characterize Coriolanus. The battlefield
would be the best place since most of his accomplishment or his qualities would
be expressed through his actions rather than his words.
Lastly would be conflicts and the consequences in the coming
acts. Later in the play, he tries to force people to vote him into consul. But
the people start to recall the time Coriolanus mocked the people who voted for
him, which were usually poorer, less noble people than he was. And he gets exiled
from the city as his opposition uses the situation to their advantage. This
again links back to the point I made previously. The incipient part of the play
characterizes Coriolanus so the audience does not question his future actions
and instead can grasp the reason why he would do so.
