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OCR Coriolanus Context
Notes that summarise the context behind Shakespeare's 'Coriolanus' covering historical, political, cultural context as well as tragic hero and Aristotle's conventions
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Some examples from this set of practice questions
1.
Jagendorf, Hatred
Answer: “The hatred between the ruling class and common people”
2.
Granville, Martius
Answer: “The greatest tragic moment… is his decision to join the volscians”
3.
Oliver, Induviduals
Answer: “The Rome you attack is made of induviduals”
4.
Sinclair, Tribunes
Answer: “The tribunes want political authority”
5.
Norton. Wounds
Answer: “Obsessed with Coriolanus’ blood and wounds”
6.
Norton, Love
Answer: “The commoners… love his blood”
7.
Sinclair, Destruction
Answer: “The tribunes esnsure Coriolanus’ destruction”
8.
Norton, Owning
Answer: “The blood coursing through his veins and the wounds it escapes from seems to be the only thing Coriolanus can truly call his own”
9.
Jagendorf, Rome
Answer: “war for Rome is a kind of relief”
10.
Faedo, Meat
Answer: “Anger becomes his meat as well as his Mother’s”
Content preview
CONTEXTShakespeare
Socio-Cultural Context
Shakespeare used historical plays to present a moral lesson at a surface
level but also considered the events that shape the characters.
Renaissance historical writing used a “Wheel of Fortune” like narrative
structure, a swift rise to fame, followed by a swift decline, usually ending in
the protagonist's death.
As for Shakespeare’s sources, he appeared to have used “Chronicles
of England, Scotland and Ireland” by Holinshed for his English history
plays, and “Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans” by Plutarch for
his Greek/ Roman history plays - a highly influential work used by
many painters and poets of the time. He seemed to have used a 1579
translation by Thomas North - enlarging the role of Menenius and
Aufidius and developing the Tribunes into more rounded characters.
Political and Cultural Background
In Shakespeare’s time, an interest in the ancient had reached “epic
proportions” - it was thought that an interest in Greek and Roman writings
showed a man’s intellectual statue and “endowed him with the dignity of a
philosopher” - a status symbol.
Elizabethans wouldn’t have found the time of Coriolanus conductive as it
dealt with a time before a monarch, and government in power instead of a
single authority, which would have seemed outlandish as there was no
parallel in Europe.
Shakespeare built upon “sketchy” details in Plutarch and created a
system with a far greater degree of democracy than actually existed,
showing plebeians involved with senate elections.
It might be thought that writing within a Roman setting would offer some cover
for a criticism of the current political system in Britain. However, the question
of absolutism is present in both Coriolanus and Jacobean England, as
James was less adept than Elizabeth at leadership, and struggled to unite the
people.
Nature vs. Law. Coriolanus represents Nature - having belief in himself and
his own power without regard for others, feeling above the law
Parallels with the grain riot of 1607
Class conflict. In the Oxfordshire rising of 1597, there was talk of deposing
the gentry. Charles I was later beheaded. Rapidly changing societal pressure
for constitutional change is reflected in the play; Shakespeare exposes the
danger of both democracy and absolutism.
The Tragic Hero
Based upon classical Greek tales, such as Hercules or Achilles, they consider
a man’s place in the world.
Born of high class, endowed with admirable qualities (such as
leadership, bravery, righteousness) and admired by all.
Has one fatal flaw, or “Achilles Heel” that will prove fatal to him.
The audience empathises with his plight.
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