An Aristotelian hero is one who is “upstanding and morally inclined while nonetheless subject to human error” , an individual who has flaws that eventually culminate in their downfall. In the tragic play of Coriolanus, a play of pathos and power, Coriolanus is a proud, initially patriotic warrior whose hamartia is his arrogant pride and lack of self-restraint. He considers himself superior to the plebeians and so is indifferent about their feelings towards him. The mutual resentment between Coriolanus and the plebeians is a key element in what makes Coriolanus an Aristotelian hero.
Analysis
20406080100
Average Overall Rating: 5
Total Votes: 115
Theme Analysis
Class conflict
The conflict between the patricians, or traditional ruling class, …show more content…
His pride partly arises from his remarkable martial qualities, but it prevents him making the necessary compromises to become a political leader. If he were not so proud, he would be viewed by the plebeians both as a war hero and a suitable consul. They would see him as they do Menenius, as "one that hath always loved the people?(I.i.41?2), rather than as "chief enemy to the people?(I.i.5?) and "a very dog to the commonalty?(I.i.23). Coriolanus's pride leads to his offending the plebeians at every step, and prevents him from making amends to them. He even responds to his banishment with pride, insisting that it is he who banishes the Roman people, and hurling insults at them. This makes his future rehabilitation in their eyes all the more unlikely, and means that Coriolanus is permanently trapped in his stubborn resolve to reject his native land. Similarly, his pride is a factor in antagonizing Aufidius, with whom Coriolanus takes refuge in exile ("He bears himself more proudlier, / Even to my person, that I thought he would / When first I did embrace …show more content…
It encompassed courage, boldness, heroism, and resoluteness. Coriolanus has these qualities in abundance, but it is at the expense of another more humble virtue, "pietas,?or love and respect for family, country, and gods. While "virtus?was unquestionably of more value in war time, "pietas?was vital in peace time to provide the ability to compromise and forgive that held society together.
The two virtues often find themselves in conflict in the play, and Coriolanus, by upholding "virtus?and neglecting "pietas,?cuts himself off from society and humanity in general. While the plebeians are grateful for Coriolanus's war record, they do not value "virtus?as highly as he does. Understandably, they are more concerned with the quality of their daily lives and being listened to and treated with respect. Coriolanus cannot provide these elements ?in fact, he seems to work against them. He is too inflexible in his warrior-like stance to make the compromises necessary to making
Analysis
20406080100
Average Overall Rating: 5
Total Votes: 115
Theme Analysis
Class conflict
The conflict between the patricians, or traditional ruling class, …show more content…
His pride partly arises from his remarkable martial qualities, but it prevents him making the necessary compromises to become a political leader. If he were not so proud, he would be viewed by the plebeians both as a war hero and a suitable consul. They would see him as they do Menenius, as "one that hath always loved the people?(I.i.41?2), rather than as "chief enemy to the people?(I.i.5?) and "a very dog to the commonalty?(I.i.23). Coriolanus's pride leads to his offending the plebeians at every step, and prevents him from making amends to them. He even responds to his banishment with pride, insisting that it is he who banishes the Roman people, and hurling insults at them. This makes his future rehabilitation in their eyes all the more unlikely, and means that Coriolanus is permanently trapped in his stubborn resolve to reject his native land. Similarly, his pride is a factor in antagonizing Aufidius, with whom Coriolanus takes refuge in exile ("He bears himself more proudlier, / Even to my person, that I thought he would / When first I did embrace …show more content…
It encompassed courage, boldness, heroism, and resoluteness. Coriolanus has these qualities in abundance, but it is at the expense of another more humble virtue, "pietas,?or love and respect for family, country, and gods. While "virtus?was unquestionably of more value in war time, "pietas?was vital in peace time to provide the ability to compromise and forgive that held society together.
The two virtues often find themselves in conflict in the play, and Coriolanus, by upholding "virtus?and neglecting "pietas,?cuts himself off from society and humanity in general. While the plebeians are grateful for Coriolanus's war record, they do not value "virtus?as highly as he does. Understandably, they are more concerned with the quality of their daily lives and being listened to and treated with respect. Coriolanus cannot provide these elements ?in fact, he seems to work against them. He is too inflexible in his warrior-like stance to make the compromises necessary to making