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 us as the readers that this is no typical hero’s journey. As ‘Coriolanus’ is a political play it has to involve power. Shortly after the battle, the mothering of Coriolanus convinces him to run for consul in the government. The Consul is a role of power in the government, linking back to the whole idea of politics and power. In the end he does not get the position once again Shakespeare is bringing the idea of flaws to show that Coriolanus is in no way the ideal person, which in many other hero stories is the case. Shakespeare almost splits Coriolanus’s world into two, one on the battle filed and the other back in the city. Coriolanus on the battlefield is seen as brave, courages, unstoppable, powerful, almost immortal. Yet back in the city strength does not rule the world, instead words and ideas do. Menenius, who is also mentioned in Act 1 as the perfect companion to Coriolanus, they are so different that personalities almost balance out. Menenius unlike Coriolanus doesn’t play a huge part on the battle field, yet when it comes to talking to people, listening to them and relating to them, he is loved. Unlike Meneius, Coriolanus would rather fight his problems with power instead of reason. These are just a few things we find out about Coriolanus in the first act, but as the play continues we see he’s actions only take him down from there. He is blinded by power and this eventually leads to his death at the end of the play.

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