Themes of Power in Coriolanus

Power as a word has a lot of different connotations to it, and can mean many different things depending on the context it is used in and who is actually using the word. In terms of politics, it can be used to describe someone who has a lot of control over a state or government, or maybe is very influential in the way they act and speak. It can also be associated with raw, physical strength, and being able to exert a lot of force onto something or someone. When bringing this word into the William Shakespeare play 'Coriolanus', the word has the same flexibility. Some consider the play to be set in two worlds. One being set in the politically charged city of Rome, and the other being the battlefield. In order to prevail in this historical context, one had to have both the political power of being an influential speaker, and the raw physical strength on the battlefield. Cominius had both of these, and therefore was a Consul before the play took place. However, times are changing. While in previous years the raw power dominated, and was considered more important, this play occurs during a political shift where normal citizens and plebeians were gaining more power in terms of control of the state. This means that being an influential speaker, and being able to connect with the people became the more important factor. Menenius and Volumnia are two characters that have a good power of words, and almost no physical power. Menenius is the stronger one of the two, constantly communicating with the plebeians, and using his words to manipulate his state controlled power. While Volumnia of course plays a key role at the end of the play, using her power over words to convince Coriolanus not to attack Rome, and in the end is celebrated as the savior of Rome. Both of these characters prevail. Coriolanus on the other hand, is stuck in the physically controlled past. He is on the other side of the spectrum, only having physical power in his hands. Throughout the play, he demeans and insults the plebeians, believing they are worthless because they do not fight for their country. This in the end leads to his downfall, as his disrespectful words and inability to swallow his pride is the reason he is eventually banished

I believe Shakespeare is trying to make a statement about his current historical context in England, where a classical belief of political power might be dying, and that if people do not adapt, they will fail in the end like Coriolanus does in the play.