Coriolanus betrayed Lucy in Shakespeare’s play Coriolanus due to a complex mix of pride, ambition, and a deep-seated hatred for the Roman populace. His decision was driven by his inability to compromise his aristocratic principles and his desire for personal vengeance against the plebeians who had banished him from Rome.
The Seeds of Betrayal: Coriolanus’s Pride and Prejudice
William Shakespeare’s tragedy Coriolanus presents a compelling, albeit brutal, narrative of a Roman general whose unyielding pride ultimately leads to his downfall and betrayal of his homeland. The central figure, Caius Marcius Coriolanus, is a warrior of immense skill and courage, deeply devoted to Rome’s patrician class. However, his contempt for the common people and his inability to engage in the political machinations required for public office set the stage for his tragic arc.
Why Coriolanus Hated the Plebeians
Coriolanus’s disdain for the plebeians, or common citizens, stemmed from his belief that they were unworthy of political power. He viewed their demands for representation and grain during times of scarcity as insolent and a threat to the established social order. This deep-seated prejudice was evident from his early military campaigns, where he fought fiercely but showed little empathy for the suffering of ordinary Romans.
His military prowess earned him the name "Coriolanus" after his decisive victory at Corioli. Yet, even this triumph did not endear him to the masses. Instead, it amplified his sense of superiority and his conviction that his military achievements were far more valuable than any political compromise.
The Tribunes and the Banishing of Coriolanus
The elected tribunes, representing the plebeians, became Coriolanus’s primary antagonists. They skillfully manipulated public opinion against him, exploiting his arrogance and his refusal to appeal for votes in the traditional manner. When Coriolanus was put forward for consul, his inflammatory speeches and his refusal to show the "scars" of his service—a symbolic gesture of humility and sacrifice—sealed his fate.
The tribunes, Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus, accused him of tyranny and instigated a riot. The Senate, fearing further unrest, ultimately banished Coriolanus from Rome. This banishment was a profound humiliation for a man who saw himself as Rome’s savior and protector.
The Turning Point: Vengeance and the Volscians
Exiled and stripped of his honor, Coriolanus found himself at a crossroads. Instead of accepting his fate, his burning desire for revenge consumed him. He sought refuge with the Volscians, Rome’s long-standing enemies, and offered his military expertise to their leader, Tullus Aufidius.
This alliance marked the ultimate betrayal. Coriolanus, the man who had once defended Rome with his life, now led its enemies against its very gates. His intimate knowledge of Roman strategy and his fierce fighting spirit made him a formidable threat.
Coriolanus’s Motivation for Betrayal
Coriolanus’s decision to join forces with the Volscians was not a simple act of malice. It was a complex interplay of several factors:
- Humiliation and Pride: The banishment was an unbearable insult to his immense pride. He felt betrayed by the city he had served so faithfully.
- Vengeance: He craved retribution against the plebeians and the tribunes who had orchestrated his downfall. Leading an invading army was the most direct way to achieve this.
- Sense of Injustice: Coriolanus genuinely believed he had been wronged. He saw the political system as corrupt and the populace as ungrateful.
- Ambition: While not his primary driver, the opportunity to regain power and status, even at the cost of his homeland, may have played a role.
His actions were a tragic testament to how unchecked pride and a lack of political acumen can lead even the most heroic figures down a destructive path.
The Tragic Climax: A Mother’s Plea
As Coriolanus’s army advanced on Rome, the city was thrown into a panic. The Senate was powerless, and the people pleaded for mercy. In a desperate attempt to save Rome, a delegation of Roman matrons, led by Coriolanus’s own mother, Volumnia, and his wife, Virgilia, was sent to his camp.
Volumnia, a woman of immense strength and influence, confronted her son. She appealed to his sense of duty, his love for his family, and his Roman heritage. She shamed him for his actions, reminding him of his upbringing and the values he once held dear.
This confrontation proved to be Coriolanus’s undoing. Torn between his desire for vengeance and his filial duty, he ultimately relented. He withdrew his army from Rome, effectively saving the city but sealing his own doom.
The Volscians’ Reaction and Coriolanus’s Death
Tullus Aufidius, Coriolanus’s Volscian ally, viewed his withdrawal as a betrayal of their cause and an act of cowardice. He had grown increasingly jealous of Coriolanus’s military prowess and his influence. At a Volscian council meeting, Aufidius accused Coriolanus of treachery.
In the ensuing chaos, Aufidius and his co-conspirators assassinated Coriolanus. His death was a direct consequence of his earlier betrayal of Rome and his inability to navigate the treacherous political landscape.
People Also Ask
### Did Coriolanus love Rome?
Coriolanus deeply loved Rome, but his love was conditional and rooted in his patrician ideals. He loved the Rome of military glory, of aristocratic dominance, and of traditional values. He despised the Rome that had become influenced by the plebeians and their demands, seeing it as a corrupted version of his ideal.
### Was Coriolanus a hero or a villain?
Coriolanus is a complex character, often seen as a tragic hero. He possessed many heroic qualities, such as immense bravery, loyalty to his soldiers, and a strong sense of honor. However, his overwhelming pride, his contempt for the common people, and his ultimate act of betrayal against Rome also cast him in a villainous light.
### Why did Coriolanus refuse to take the oath?
Coriolanus refused to take the oath of office and appeal to the people for votes because it went against his deep-seated pride and his belief in aristocratic superiority. He saw such actions as demeaning and beneath him, believing his military achievements should be enough to earn him a position of power without resorting to political flattery.
### What is the main theme of Coriolanus?
The main themes of Coriolanus revolve around the corrupting nature of power, the clash between aristocracy and democracy, the destructive force of pride, and the consequences of ambition. The play also explores the complex