William Shakespeare's Coriolanus is definitively a tragedy because it meticulously follows the conventions of the genre, depicting the downfall of a noble protagonist driven by his intrinsic flaws, leading to his ultimate destruction.
Understanding Tragedy in Shakespearean Context
A tragedy, particularly in the Shakespearean tradition, typically centers on a hero of high status who suffers a catastrophic decline. This reversal of fortune is often the direct result of a fundamental character flaw, known as hamartia, or a grave error in judgment. The play culminates in the hero's death, evoking pity and fear (catharsis) in the audience.
For a deeper understanding of classical and Shakespearean tragedy, explore resources such as:
- Britannica's definition of tragedy
- The Folger Shakespeare Library's insights into Shakespearean tragedy
Key Elements That Make Coriolanus a Tragedy
The play illustrates several critical components that firmly establish its tragic classification:
1. The Tragic Hero: Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Coriolanus is a formidable and "great" Roman general, lauded for his military prowess and heroic actions on the battlefield. His high standing and aristocratic lineage mark him as a figure whose fall would have significant societal implications, fitting the mold of a classical tragic hero.
2. The Hamartia (Tragic Flaw)
Coriolanus's downfall is primarily due to his profound character flaws, which are ironically rooted in the very qualities that make him a great soldier. Like other Shakespearean tragic figures such as Othello and Macbeth, he is a "great but erratic general" whose inherent qualities ultimately lead to his demise. These include:
- Uncompromising Pride and Arrogance: Coriolanus possesses an unyielding sense of self-worth and an intense disdain for the common people (plebeians). He believes his military service alone should grant him political power, without having to condescend to solicit votes.
- Inflexibility and Severity of Judgment: His "quickness and severity of judgment" serve him well in battle but prove disastrous in the political arena. He is incapable of compromise, diplomacy, or adapting his military mindset to the demands of civil life. This rigidity alienates him from both the plebeians and their tribunes.
- Inability to Humble Himself: He views any display of vulnerability or appeal to the populace as a weakness, refusing to play the required political game, which is crucial for public office.
3. Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)
Coriolanus experiences a dramatic reversal of fortune. Despite his military victories, his political ineptitude and contempt for the populace lead to his banishment from Rome. This exile forces him into a desperate alliance with his former enemy, Tullus Aufidius, and the Volscians, turning him against his own city—a profound and tragic turn.
4. Anagnorisis (Recognition) and Catharsis
While Coriolanus's self-recognition might be debated as fully fledged, his eventual yielding to his mother Volumnia's pleas to spare Rome shows a crucial moment where his personal desires and pride are momentarily overcome by filial love and a latent connection to his city. This decision, though saving Rome, seals his personal fate. The audience experiences catharsis as they witness the inevitable destruction wrought by extreme pride and political inflexibility, feeling both pity for his isolated defiance and fear of its consequences.
5. Ultimate Downfall and Death
The culmination of Coriolanus's tragic journey is his violent death at the hands of the Volscians, instigated by Tullus Aufidius, who views Coriolanus's act of mercy towards Rome as a betrayal. His career is ultimately destroyed, and his life ends abruptly, fulfilling the tragic arc of a hero brought low by his own nature.
Summary of Tragic Elements in Coriolanus
The table below summarizes how Coriolanus embodies the core elements of a Shakespearean tragedy:
| Tragic Element | Description in Coriolanus |
|---|---|
| Tragic Hero | Caius Marcius Coriolanus, a renowned and "great" Roman general of noble birth. |
| Hamartia | Overwhelming pride, "erratic" nature, "quickness and severity of judgment," and an inability to adapt his military virtues to political life, leading to inflexibility and disdain for the common people. |
| Peripeteia | Banished from Rome, the city he defended, leading him to ally with former enemies (the Volscians) against his homeland. |
| Anagnorisis | A moment of recognition when he succumbs to his mother's pleas to spare Rome, prioritizing familial and civic bonds over his personal vengeance, despite knowing the fatal consequences. |
| Catharsis | Evokes pity for Coriolanus's unyielding character and fear of the destructive power of unchecked pride and political extremism. |
| Ultimate Downfall | Assassinated by the Volscians and Tullus Aufidius for sparing Rome, leading to the complete destruction of his career and life, proving that his intrinsic qualities, while great on the battlefield, led to his ultimate undoing in society. |
Through its depiction of a powerful individual undone by his inherent traits, Coriolanus serves as a profound exploration of pride, political conflict, and the destructive consequences of an unyielding spirit, firmly cementing its place as a quintessential tragedy.
