/lit/ - Literature

>>11915451
>What's good about Coriolanus?
No-one likes this answer, but the thematic content. It deals with some very modern problems and ideas but does it in a way that is anything but modern or expected. It literally begins with a citizen's riot as they mean to violently redistribute wealth and grain as Rome has fallen under hard times and food is rationed, except seemingly in the case of the rich. This is a timeless problem, Shakespeare in fact wrote the play following a crisis in the English midlands during the early 1600s, usury and a harsh winter brought people to riot against the nobility sooner than starve. And talks of class and distribution obviously continue today. But Shakespeare's answer is very surprising, he presents the common people as generally bungling opportunists whose unworthiness is proven in their cowardice and lack of virtue. It follows that some people walk away from Coriolanus having read it as a defense of Fascism. However the upper echelons of Roman society are not presented in a kind light either, being overwhelmingly flatterers, and schemers, and effete policy makers who themselves produce little of value save in their machinations to bring the state upon the brink of ruin. The exception to all of this is Coriolanus, his value is manifest as a savior of Rome who directly fights and bleeds for her, and he is betrayed by everyone in the play precisely because he is some monster of virtue and totally uncompromising. It might be accurate to call him a caricature, but I feel that would cheapen his example. Ask yourself, do you think his fate was foolish? Remember that in everything, he chose it. So what do we do, what is the answer? Shakespeare offers context, but leaves it to the audience to decide.


If I had to recommend it to someone I'd say Coriolanus is like some blend of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Dostoevsky's The Idiot, who in the hell doesn't want to read that? It has some excellent moments too, the sheer vitriol found in the dialogue is so gratifying to read, the abuses laid upon those 2 faggot senators by Menenius in particular, in fact everything Menenius says is a joy to read. Admittedly the ending I'm not overly fond of but I suppose it's the sort of thing that's meant to be seen in the theater rather than read.