An analysis of Coriolanus’s character and how pride is his main defect

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English Literature AS - Coriolanus

`An analysis of Coriolanus’s character and how pride is his main defect.

Coriolanus portrays a life ruined through an excess of pride, which was honed by his mother.  This pride was the cause of both his rise and downfall.  His pride is combined with contempt he has for the commonality, of which even the masses are aware of “he’s a very dog to commonality.”  Before leaving to serve his country he calls the people “dissentious rogues” and adds other offensive terms such as ‘scabs’, he makes it no secret that he disapproves of the commonality speaking out.  Marcius believes that the commonality were born to be ruled by their peers, he believes they should have no say and thinks they are stupid and ignorant and without being ruled they could not survive.  Marcius also accuses them of being ungrateful and are not educated enough to make opinions.

“ Who deserves greatness

Deserves your hate; and your affections are

A sick mans appetite, who desires most that which would increase his evil”

However, Marcius has many noble qualities.  People are aware of his pride this is contradicted when he accepts a post as second in command for the Volscian war and in this position he is a good soldier and brilliant leader.  Marcius accepted this position so that people could see him rise to the top.  Marcius wanted none of the plunder but was very annoyed when people tried to get between him and his title of honour.  This is very unlike Coriolanus who despises rewards, attention or glory the only thing he enjoys is the honour of war and what it stands for.

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The only reward Coriolanus asks for is for the freedom of a poor man helped him once.  Coriolanus cannot act the part o glorious, heroic, returned soldier.  He cannot help express what he thinks, “ I cannot put on the gown, stand naked and entreat them for wounds sake, to give their suffrage.”  Others less noble would have gone through the ceremony for the sake of tradition and said nothing, the source of these good qualities were not only sculpt by his mother but also experience as a great soldier.

Coriolanus is not ashamed to admit that he ...

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