Summary Of Coriolanus By William Shakespeare. - Coriolanus-A Play By William Shakespeare - Summary

ASM - Literature and Poetry

5 May 202305:28

Summary

TLDRThe video script presents a dramatic retelling of Shakespeare's 'Coriolanus,' set during the early Roman Republic. Caius Martius, a patrician and skilled warrior, is initially at odds with the commoners, who are suffering from famine and political unrest. Menenius Agrippa, a respected elder, attempts to mediate the conflict, but Martius's blunt disdain for the commoners exacerbates tensions. Despite his military prowess, which earns him the name Coriolanus, he struggles with the political process of seeking the people's favor for the consulship. His inability to win their support leads to his banishment, after which he allies with Rome's enemies, the Volscians, to exact revenge. However, his mother, Volumnia, persuades him to abandon his campaign against Rome, saving the city but ultimately leading to his tragic death at the hands of his new allies. The video also provides a brief overview of Shakespeare's life, highlighting his rise to fame and his enduring legacy as a playwright.

Takeaways

🏛️ In the early days of the Roman Republic, a famine led to a revolt by the common people against the aristocrats, particularly Caius Martius, who was seen as their biggest enemy due to his contempt for them.
👴 Menenius Agrippa, a respected Roman noble, attempts to placate the people by telling a fable about the belly, which initially helps to calm the situation.
🗣️ Caius Martius, despite the calming efforts, confronts the people bluntly, revealing his true feelings and exacerbating the tension.
📜 Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus are appointed as tribunes of the people, a move that reflects the political changes in response to the unrest.
⚔️ Caius Martius, later known as Coriolanus after his heroic deeds in the battle of Corioles, leads the Roman troops against the Volscians, showcasing his military prowess.
🏙️ Coriolanus is nominated for the position of consul, a high-ranking political office, due to his bravery and leadership in battle.
🤝 As part of the consul custom, Coriolanus is required to appeal to the people for their support, a task he approaches awkwardly and reluctantly.
😡 The tribunes exploit Coriolanus's lack of political acumen and his disdain for the common people, turning the crowd against him and leading to his rejection.
🏡 Coriolanus's family, including his mother Volumnia, wife Virgilia, and son, play a crucial role in his life, influencing his decisions and actions.
🚨 Accused of treason by the tribunes for his uncompromising stance against the people, Coriolanus is banished from Rome.
⛓️ Seeking revenge, Coriolanus allies with his former enemy, General Tullus Aufidius, and the Volscians, leading an army against Rome.
🏳️‍🤝 In a dramatic turn of events, Coriolanus is persuaded by his family to abandon his quest for vengeance against Rome, choosing family over personal grievances.
🗞️ The story of Coriolanus ends tragically as he is branded a traitor by the Volscians and is killed, highlighting the complex themes of loyalty, power, and the consequences of pride and hubris.

Q & A

What was the cause of the common people's uprising in the early days of the Roman Republic as described in the script?
-The cause of the uprising was a famine that affected the common people.
Who is seen as the people's biggest enemy in the script and why?
-Caius Martius is seen as the people's biggest enemy because he looks down on them.
How does Meninius Agrippa try to calm the people down?
-Meninius Agrippa tries to calm the people down by telling them a story about the belly.
Who are the two individuals named as tribunes of the people?
-Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus have been named tribunes of the people.
What is the significance of the name 'Coriolanus'?
-The name 'Coriolanus' is given to Caius Martius after he takes the city of Corioles by himself, signifying his bravery in battle.
Why do the tribunes want to make Caius Martius the Roman president despite not liking him?
-The tribunes want to make Caius Martius the Roman president because they believe his wounds from battle can be used to show that he is a good leader.
How does Coriolanus react when he is asked to ask the people for their voices as part of the custom of becoming a consul?
-Coriolanus is very reluctant to ask the people for their voices and does so awkwardly while wearing the standard candidate's robe.
What does Coriolanus believe about the power of the people?
-Coriolanus believes that the people should have no power.
Why do the tribunes decide to hold a public trial for Coriolanus?
-The tribunes decide to hold a public trial for Coriolanus because they see his reaction to the people's change of mind and his belief that the people should have no power as treason.
How does Coriolanus's mother, Volumnia, convince him to give up the military mission against Rome?
-Volumnia convinces Coriolanus to give up the military mission by talking about how close they are as a family.
What happens to Coriolanus after he tries to negotiate peace between Rome and the Volscians?
-After trying to negotiate peace, Coriolanus is accused of being a traitor by Aufidius and his conspirators, leading to his death at the hands of the Volscian people.
Why did Shakespeare leave his family around 1590?
-Shakespeare left his family to become an actor and writer in London.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Rise and Fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus

The first paragraph introduces the character Caius Martius Coriolanus, a Roman general, who is initially seen as an enemy of the people due to his contempt for them. Meninius Agrippa, a respected noble, attempts to appease the commoners with a story. Caius is later honored with the name Coriolanus for his bravery in battle against the Volscians, led by General Tullus Aufidius. Despite his military prowess, Coriolanus struggles with the political aspect of gaining the people's favor for the position of consul. His inability to connect with the populace and his open disdain for them leads to his exile. In exile, Coriolanus seeks revenge by joining forces with his former enemies, the Volscians. However, his mother, Volumnia, and family manage to convince him to abandon his quest against Rome, saving the city. The Volscians, swayed by the manipulations of Aufidius, turn against Coriolanus, and he is ultimately killed. The paragraph also provides a brief background on Shakespeare, highlighting his rise to fame and his contributions to theater.

05:02

🎭 Shakespeare's Legacy and The King's Men

The second paragraph provides a brief historical context for Shakespeare's life and career. In 1603, King James I granted a royal patent to Shakespeare's theater company, renaming it the King's Men. The paragraph notes that Shakespeare retired to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1613 as a wealthy and renowned figure. He passed away three years later, leaving behind a rich legacy in literature and theater. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to like and subscribe to the channel for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Famine

Famine refers to a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors such as crop failure, war, or disease, leading to extreme hunger and often death. In the video's context, the famine in the early days of the Roman Republic incites the common people to rise up against the perceived injustices of the ruling class, setting the stage for the central conflict in the story.

💡Caius Martius

Caius Martius, also known as Coriolanus, is the central character in the video's narrative. He is portrayed as an aristocrat and a renowned warrior who is initially seen as an enemy of the common people due to his disdain for them. His character development and eventual fate are central to the video's theme of power, pride, and the consequences of disregarding the populace.

💡Meninius Agrippa

Meninius Agrippa is an old and respected Roman noble who plays the role of a peacemaker in the video. He attempts to calm the common people's unrest by narrating a story about the belly, symbolizing the interconnectedness and importance of all parts of society. His character represents the voice of reason and moderation amidst the escalating tension.

💡Tribunes of the People

The tribunes of the people, Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus in the video, are political figures who represent the interests of the common people. They are initially opposed to Caius Martius but later play a pivotal role in his rise to power and subsequent downfall, highlighting the complex dynamics of Roman politics and the struggle for power between the classes.

💡Volscians

The Volscians are an enemy tribe that poses a significant threat to Rome in the video. Their attack on Rome serves as a catalyst for Caius Martius's military prowess to be recognized, leading to his heroic capture of the city of Corioles and the bestowment of his name Coriolanus. The Volscians represent an external adversary that unites the Romans, albeit temporarily.

💡Coriolanus

Coriolanus is the name given to Caius Martius after his exceptional performance in the battle against the Volscians. The name symbolizes his valor and military success, and it becomes a point of pride for him. However, it also underscores the tension between his personal achievements and the political demands of his position, contributing to his eventual downfall.

💡Politics

Politics in the video is depicted as a complex and often corrupt system where personal ambitions and the will of the people collide. Caius Martius's reluctance to engage in political maneuvering and his disdain for the common people's influence in governance lead to his alienation and eventual expulsion, illustrating the perils of hubris and the importance of political acumen.

💡Consul

The consul in the video is a high-ranking political office in ancient Rome, to which Caius Martius is nominated due to his military achievements. The process of becoming a consul involves seeking the approval of the people, which exposes Coriolanus's inability to navigate the political landscape and his deep-seated contempt for the populace.

💡Treason

Treason is the act of betraying one's country, and in the video, it becomes a pivotal accusation against Caius Martius, or Coriolanus. His refusal to pander to the people and his outspoken criticism of their influence in governance are interpreted by the tribunes as acts of treason, leading to his expulsion and setting the stage for his alliance with the Volscians.

💡Vultures

The Vultures, led by General Tullus Aufidius, are a formidable force that Coriolanus initially fights against. Later, when Coriolanus is ostracized by his own people, he seeks refuge and allies himself with the Vultures, illustrating the theme of betrayal and the consequences of being rejected by one's own society.

💡Peace Treaty

A peace treaty in the video represents a formal agreement to end hostilities between warring parties. Coriolanus's attempt to broker peace between Rome and the Volscians is met with resistance and ultimately leads to his downfall. The peace treaty symbolizes the complex nature of diplomacy and the difficulty of achieving reconciliation in the face of deep-seated animosity.

Highlights

In the early days of the Roman Republic, a famine causes the common people to rise up against the aristocracy.

Caius Martius, a proud and disdainful aristocrat, becomes the common people's greatest enemy.

Meninius Agrippa, a respected elder, tries to calm the populace by telling a fable about the belly and its parts.

Caius Martius' blunt honesty and contempt for the commoners incites further unrest.

Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus are appointed as tribunes of the people.

When the Volscians, led by General Aufidius, attack Rome, Caius Martius and General Cominius lead the defense.

Despite initial setbacks, Caius Martius distinguishes himself in battle, taking the city of Corioles single-handedly.

He earns the name Coriolanus for his valor, but cannot bring himself to kill his rival Aufidius.

Back in Rome, Coriolanus' parents, Volumnia and Virgilia, prepare for his political campaign.

Coriolanus is nominated for consul by Caminius after a powerful speech in the Senate.

Coriolanus struggles to win the people's favor, showing his wounds awkwardly and reluctantly.

The tribunes exploit Coriolanus' disdain for the commoners to turn the people against him.

Accused of treason for his anti-people stance, Coriolanus is banished from Rome.

Seeking revenge, Coriolanus allies with his former enemy Aufidius and the Volscians.

Coriolanus leads the Volscian troops to the very gates of Rome.

Attempts by Cominius and Meninius to dissuade Coriolanus from attacking Rome prove futile.

Volumnia, Virgilia, young Martius, and Valeria plead with Coriolanus to spare Rome, moving him to abandon the siege.

Coriolanus returns to the Volscians as a hero, but is ultimately betrayed and killed by Aufidius and the Volscian lords.

The play explores themes of pride, power, class conflict, and the dangers of absolute authority.

Shakespeare's life remains somewhat mysterious, but his impact on literature and theater is undeniable.

The video summary encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more insightful content.