Arrogant Psychological Characteristics of Coriolanus

Through a deep analysis of the main character, notably Coriolanus‟ attitude, the writer gains some points concerning the consequence of Coriolanus‟ arrogant attitude. The consequence can be the conflicts that are faced by Coriolanus. Here in the first part the writer presents some conflicts which are faced by Coriolanus because of his arrogant attitude. Coriolanus‟ arrogance has the bad impact for his relation with others. Coriolanus confronts with the citizens or the people and the tribunes of people especially Brutus and Sicinius. Actually the conflict among Coriolanus, the citizens and the tribune of the people is the conflict between the patricians and common people. This kind of conflict can be said as Coriolanus‟ interpersonal conflict or external conflict. Coriolanus‟ external conflict is the concern in the play. At the beginning, the citizens are rebelling against the patricians because the patricians only grant the grain for themselves while the citizens are starving. The citizens become more brutal when Coriolanus comes and responds to them with ire and arrogance. In the one hand, Coriolanus mocks the citizens and he underestimates them. On the other hand, the citizens rebel against him even they want to kill him. Hardly can the conflict be avoided between these two sides. Enter a company of mutinous CITIZENS, with staves, clubs, and other weapons. 1.CITIZEN. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. ALL. Speak, speak. 1.CITIZEN. You are all resolv‟d rather to die than to famish? ALL. Resolv‟d, resolv‟d. 1.CITIZEN. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. ALL. We know ‟t, we know ‟t. 1.CITIZEN. Let us kill him, and we‟ll have corn at our own price. Is‟t a verdict? Shakespeare, 1942:1289 The citizens encourage each other in order to rebel against the ruling aristocracy or the patricians. The citizens take risk to die in a purpose to reach their goals. In this case, the citizens express their flare-up as a counter attack mostly to Coriolanus Marcius. The citizens bring staves, club and other weapons in an intention to kill Coriolanus. The conflict between Coriolanus and the citizens can be considered as a very serious problem. The conflict that has not ended yet happens again. Coriolanus faces a more complicated conflict between himself and the citizens. Moreover, Coriolanus‟ external conflict can be seen when Coriolanus is offered to be a consul or the representative of common people. Coriolanus‟ decision to gain people‟ voice drives him closer to the conflict. Meanwhile, Coriolanus feels that it adds a more burden for him. Certainly, he will be more egocentric if he becomes a consul. However, he also faces an uncomfortable situation that he wants to avoid. The uncomfortable situation is that he really hates the common people. Then its consequence is that Coriolanus who is asking the voice of people for his effort to be a consul is rejected by the citizens. 4.CITIZEN. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. CORIOLANUS. Your enigma? 4.CITIZEN. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved the common people. Shakespeare, 1942:1305 Indeed, Coriolanus deserves to get the admiration from the patricians because of his track record in military and his great deed to defeat their enemy. However, that admiration is proper only from the patricians who support him but it is not proper to be gained from the citizens. Coriolanus himself is confused because he does not realize about himself and how he is viewed by other people. Coriolanus is labeled as a scourge and the enemy of the common people. Brutus and Sicinius, the tribunes of the plebeian class and representatives of that class mistrust and dislike Coriolanus similarly as their class mistrusts and dislikes of the patrician class. As having discussed before, Coriolanus is mistrusted and disliked because of his egoism or arrogance and contempt that he displays towards the people. Brutus and Sicinius who play important role in the citizen class provoke the citizens to punish Coriolanus. Sicinius and Brutus who stand as the authority of the citizens announce that Coriolanus is deserved to death punishment “SICINIUS. This deserves death…BRUTUS. Marcius is worthy of present death Shakespeare , 1942, 1310.” The conflicts faced by Coriolanus respectively get to an end to the Coriolanus‟ banishment from Rome with the judgment as „traitor‟ and enemy of the people. SICINIUS. For that he has, as much as in him lies, from time to time envi‟d against the people, seeking means to pluck away their power, as now at last given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence of dreaded justice, but on the ministers that [do] distribute it; in the name o‟ th‟ people and in the power of us the tribunes, we, even from this instant, banish him our city, in peril of precipitation from the rock Tarpeian never more to enter our Rome gates. I‟ th‟ people‟s name, I say it shall be so. [CITIZENS.] It shall be so, it shall be so. Let him away He‟s banish‟d, and it shall be so. Shakespeare, 1942:1315 Coriolanus is driven out of Rome because Brutus and Sicinius play upon the plebeians fears that he will become a tyrant if he is elected as a consul. “SICINIUS. From Rome all season‟d office and to wind yourself into a power tyrannical; for which you are a traitor to the people Shakespeare , 1942, 1314.” He even responds to his banishment with arrogance. This makes his future rehabilitation impossible, and it means that Coriolanus is permanently trapped in his stubborn arrogance.

b. Brave

Apart from the fact that Coriolanus has predominantly arrogant attitude, Coriolanus has also brave attitude. Upon knowing that Volsce , Rome‟s enemy, has armed itself for war, Coriolanus feels glad to hear that. “MARCIUS CORIOLANUS. I am glad on‟t. then we shall ha‟ means to vent our musty superfluity Shakespeare, 1942:1292 .” Taking action in military duty is Coriolanus ‟ responsibility. Certainly, his fearless response about war is based on his personal bravery. To Coriolanus, if he bleeds he thinks that it is not dangerous even healthier for him. “The blood I drop is rather physical than dangerous to me Shakespeare , 1942:1295.” A soldier gives his testimony that Coriolanus faces the enemy alone. “Following the fliers at the very heels with them he enters; who, upon the sudden, clapp‟d to their gates. He is himself alone, to answer all the city Shakespeare , 1942:1295.” Coriolanus‟ track record in military service is undoubted. With his bravery he is able to defeat Rome‟s enemy. Coriolanus‟ brave attitude is considered as a great deed for his country, Rome. COMINIUS. I shall lack voice; the deeds of Coriolanus should not be utter‟d feebly. It is held that valour is the chiefest virtue and most dignifies the haver; if it be, the man I speak of cannot in the world be singly counterpois‟d. Shakespeare, 1942: 1303 Roman general, Cominius expresses his response toward the deed of Coriolanus as honorable for Rome. He says that Coriolanus‟ bravery cannot be equaled by other person. It cannot be denied that Coriolanus is the warrior of Rome. Marcius‟ Coriolanus‟ track record in military service can be viewed as patriotism and responsibility. He sacrifices himself for his country . He says that “I have done as you have done, that‟s what I can; induc‟d as you have been, that‟s for my country. He that has but effected his good will hath overta‟en mine act Shakespeare , 1942:1297.” After he is banished from his country, Rome, Coriolanus joins Volscian army, basically to revenge against people of Rome who banish him. He intends to destroy Rome. Since his intention to destroy Rome is also the intention of Volscian army, Coriolanus is elevated to be Volscian military general. Then he plays a role as Volscian military general. A unique event happens in the end of the play, Coriolanus ‟ decision to make peace between Rome and Volsce is considered as a heroic deed. It is certainly difficult to reconcile those two countries which are in war. Coriolanus takes advantage after becoming Volscian general to make the contrary treaty. Coriolanus must risk again of being a traitor of Volsce. Again this is motivated by his bravery. Coriolanus‟ brave attitude reflects his patriotism and responsibility for his country. However, it should be viewed critically. The reason why the writer argues that Coriolanus‟ bravery should be viewed critically because the writer also gains some points which notify some consequences of Coriolanus‟ brave attitude. In this second part, the writer presents how Coriolanus‟ brave attitude also emerges some conflicts. Other characters have different responses toward Coriolanus‟ bravery. To be precise the different responses are the conflict faced by Coriolanus. Coriolanus‟ bravery in military duty is viewed by the tribunes of people as unnecessary act for the people. The people know that Coriolanus is a war obsessive. The people do not consider his great deed in military as patriotism and responsibility for Rome. The people think that it is only for his personal satisfaction. This situation becomes Coriolanus‟ external conflict in dealing with other persons especially the common people. The given view that Coriolanus is not patriotic and irresponsible is because of the prod or provocation from Sicinius and Brutus. BRUTUS. Could you not have told him as you were lesson‟d: when he had no power, but was a petty servant to the state, he was your enemy, ever spake against your liberties and the charters that you bear I‟ th‟ body of the weal; and now, arriving a place of potency and sway o‟ th state, If he should still malignantly remain fast foe to th‟ plebeii, your voices might be curses to yourselves? Shakespeare, 1942:1306 Before Sicinius and Brutus provoke animosity of the people, the people have already given their trust to Coriolanus as a patriot like what the patricians did. “1.CITIZEN. Once if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him Shakespeare, 1942:1304. ” Brutus and Sicinius propose that Coriolanus‟ deed is only for his personal satisfaction and to gain the admiration from the patricians but not for the common people. Coriolanus just gains his egoism. The most difficult situation faced by Coriolanus that can be his internal conflict is when Coriolanus has to forgive Rome as the consequence of his personal love to his mother. After Menenius and Cominius , Coriolanus‟ Roman friends, are failed to beg Coriolanus ‟ mercy for Rome, Only Volumnia, Coriolanus‟ mother, a person whom Rome depends on the most, goes to Volsce to beg Coriolanus‟ mercy. If Coriolanus receives his mother‟ request, it means that he forgives Roman people who banish him. On the other hand, it also means that he betrays Volscians who support him to be their military general. CORIOLANUS. O mother, mother What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, the gods look down, and this unnatural scene they laugh at. O my mother, mother O You have won a happy victory to Rome; but for your son, – believe it, O believe it – most dangerously you have with him prevail‟d, if not most mortal to him. But let it come. Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I‟ll frame convenient peace. Shakespeare, 1942:1328 Coriolanus‟ bravery to love his mother and to forgive Rome leads him to his death. Coriolanus is assasinated by the Volscians with accusation as traitor of Volsce. However, Coriolanus is remembered as a tragic hero who reconciles Rome and Volsce from war and enmity.

B. Moral Values of Leadership

Having discussed the characteristics of the main character through the analysis of main character attitudes and conflicts, in this part the writer presents the revelation of moral values of leadership from the play. The moral values of leadership which are analyzed from the characteristics of main character include the attitudes and the conflicts. In this analysis, the writer is helped by Moral-