Tiara's English Blog

Shakespeare introduces Coriolanus as what most now a days would call a hero. Even though Coriolanus has the characteristics of a typical hero, he is also greatly flawed. Unlike most stories we hear about hero’s, Shakespeare’s novel Coriolanus does not display the hero’s journey but instead follows the structure of a political play. When we are first introduced to Coriolanus, he is portrayed as strong, courages etc. All attributes of a good leader. Although as we continue reading, unravelling Coriolanus’s character we notice that Shakespeare doesn’t portray him to be a typical hero. Instead, Coriolanus is perceived as stuck up, rude, demeaning to the plebeians etc. Coriolanus believes he has a certain power over the plebeians, he believes they shouldn’t be given the right to be involved with the government as well as food, he doesn’t take care of them, leaving them to starve. Unlike a typical hero, Coriolanus is hates by the people which once again Shakespeare is showcasing to show