What is Shakespeare'slarger purpose in his characterization of Coriolanus in Act I?
Coriolanus has been characterised in a very specific way in the first Act which is vital the development of the main concepts within the play. Shakespeare uses Coriolanus to introduce concepts while establishing certain ideas which will then further be built and uses these discrete ideas to foreshadow to many of the future concepts.
In Act I. Scene I the citizens immediately introduce the hierarchy which is present in that time with their rebellion and many of their chants. This hierarchy divide begins political play that Coriolanus is as it is not exactly a tragedy, this established conflict within the city provides hints about what this rebellion could lead to. Foreshadowing is further implemented by the discussion of Coriolanus's character with citizens saying " Very well, and could be content to give him good report for 't, but that he pays himself with being proud.... he did it to please his mother and to be partly proud." At this point, the audience is sure that the protagonist is Coriolanus but they are introduced to him in a manner which creates a prior opinion of him before he is introduced. The plebians mention his pride a lot which announces another theme in the play but their taunting nature when discussing his pride is what foreshadows to his future downfall caused by his tragic flaw. They also mention his relationship towards his mother which implies that he has the tendencies to be a "mother's boy" which is later developed by her influence in his life.
This scene holds Menenius's body parable which is constantly referenced throughout the play with even Coriolanus using elements of it when he enters. "That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourself scabs?" Here, Coriolanus reinforces what the citizens have been portraying him with his disrespectful entrance while using the body parable he implies that they are a scab which would be the unwanted sore of the body. The audience now understands what the citizens were talking about and begin to hate Coriolanus as well, however, this is contradicted by the rest of Act I and Menenius's character. Menenius is a foil character as he is the complete opposite of Coriolanus with his calm tone, reason and wise manner. They may be contrasted with each other but both hold a great respect and admiration for one another.
The messenger of this scene is what establishes the first real conflict of this movie which actually leads to the other conflict and sets the story in motion quite early in the play. This future conflict is further foreshadowed by the tribunes which express their hate for Coriolanus in a mocking manner which could stir up trouble.
Skip ahead to Act I. Scene III, where Volumnia and Virgilia are speaking about Coriolanus and the audience begins to hear a contrast in character. They both speak of him so highly in his military role which counteracts the plebians conversation as they discuss his importance to the empire and how successful he is so the audience begins to understand what kind of man he is. This is built by the further alluded godlike figure in which is presented in the rest of the scenes. "Hear me profess sincerely: had I dozen sons, each in my love alike and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeits out of action" Volumnia's speech express her involvement in her son's affairs and his political triumphs, implying what influence she may have in the future and how she commands him.
For the rest of the scenes in the play, Coriolanus is characterised further by the battle and political triumphs. From his battle with Aufidius and his interactions with his soldiers, it is obvious that in the military and on the field he is a noble man who even pays his enemy respect and honour. His powerful and dominant energy aspires courage within his troops making them want to fight alongside him. It expresses to the audience exactly how successful he is in his place in the army which is needed in future parts of the play when he is on Aufidious's side so that the audience feels the fear of the Romans during their invasion. Towards the end of the play, they allude to the next main conflict as Coriolanus wants to strive for consul, however, we are already aware of how the citizens dislike him and how the trubnes dislike him which foreshadows to the future problems he will face.
