The Tragedy of a Protagonist Due To Feminine Influence - Essay Example

The Tragedy of a Protagonist Due To Feminine Influence Introduction According to Aristotle, “tragedy” in literal work is an imitation of serious actions. These are complete and of certain degree; in terms of language that is expanded with every type artistic frill. The several types feature in separate sections or play parts. They take the form of action, have incidents of fear and pity, not in narrative form and geared at bringing out the catharsis of the intended emotions. In his definition he continues to add that every tragedy must, therefore, have; a Plot, Diction, characters, thought, a spectacle as well as Melody. These constitute the six main parts determining the quality of the tragedy (William 212). A protagonist, on the other hand, is the main character in a play, a novel or any other literal work. It could also mean a character advocating a political cause. This paper seeks to defend in clarity the model of the male protagonist in ancient as well as modern tragedies. They were in most cases accompanied by secondary feminine characters. The feminine characters played the role to threaten the masculinity and to interweave the building and the upkeep of political distinctions of male the protagonists. The paper, therefore, analyses Coriolanus’ relationship with Volumnia, his mother in relation to the model in the discussion. The Protagonism in the Book Coriolanus is a title given to Martius a Legendary and the key character in the play “Coriolanus” (Shakespeare,). He is a soldier in the ancient kingdom of Rome at a time when the common people feel it is their right to set their particular prices for the grain supply in the city. This is in response to a famine that has stricken. The people get five tribunes from the ruling aristocratic government comprising patricians. This is a decision that Martius a proud soldier is not comfortable with. His low opinion of the common people is quite clear, right from the beginning. In essence, this decision provokes his ego. His distinct image is a product of being brought up by his mother Volumnia. Volumnia is a matron in Rome for the aristocrats. She is a woman so powerful in character and will not rest until her son succeeds. Therefore, this is her main focus. By breeding her particular values in her son Coriolanus, the resulting man is exclusively dependent on her decision and advice. She says-‘there’s no man in the world/More bound to’s mother’ (William 158). The identity role should never get a blind eye as well. It is critical in this regard as well as it is in Coriolanus play by Shakespeare. The fact that he has been brought up exclusively as a soldier tells us more about his outstanding identity. In his schooling life courtesy of the mother the training period, he has always been a soldier. His happiness resulted from an occurrence in battle, and so was his sorrow. He loses his identity as a result of inadequacy in values in his foundation life (William 111). A war breaks between the Romans and their rivals the volscians an Italian tribe from a neighboring city of Carioles. The volscians led by Tullus Afidius loses to Romans who are led by Coriolanus in the war. It is through this heroic triumph that earns Martius the title, Coriolanus. This is done after the return from Carioles as a way of recognition. As if this is not enough, an offer is presented to him by the Senate. He is to be made a consul a title that requires him to contend, win the hearts of Romans for their votes. At first he never considers this the best course of action. This is a title that his mother Volumnia also encourages him to contend. The soldier, therefore, out of his outstanding loyalty to his mother has no option than to contend. Despite being a successful warrior, Coriolanus is not suited to the sophisticated politics of Rome where one can get manipulated by others for their selfish interests. We see him as immature emotionally as explained by his pride and also not strategic politically. He is a contender who is the reluctant type and cannot hit political agreements with the other representatives or rather the tribunes and again ignore his mothers push in doing so (William 238). At one point, he is not able to verbally express his thoughts resorting to gestures that are hard to interpret. These for sure fail to convey his intended message contributing to his failure in politics. Coriolanus victory over the volscians and his easy win to the Senate in Roman does not receive a warm welcome especially by Brutus and his fellow tribune, Sicinius. The two feel that Coriolanus entry in politics is a threat that could not be ignored. His popularity was felt all over in the country. The two tribunes out of fear that their Rival would take power by himself scheme on a plan to curb this. Their response to pin down Coriolanus is evident when the two differ in the opinion to make Coriolanus a Consul. They riot against it when they term him a traitor. This irritates the victim who in open pride rages and rejects the rule of popularity and not forgetting, the citizens. His utterances that power to common people above senators is as letting “crows to peck the eagles”. The utterance Cleary conforms to the tribune’s argument to accord Coriolanus a traitor and its out of this that they pass an order to expel him from the country (William 201). It’s after his expulsion from his country Rome that Coriolanus has to seek mercy from the neighboring country. Afidius is the head to the volscians, and he surprisingly accepts Coriolanus rather than execute him despite their long term differences. Afidius is well aware of Coriolanus skills in war. At this particular point, he cannot decline the offer given to him by the enemy to join forces against the enemy’s tribe (William 300). An assault is organized against Rome Coriolanus as the lead. Rome is caught unaware, and their fear compels them to retreat and beg for mercy. Coriolanus declines to plead by the Romans not until his mother begs him in person. He adheres to the mothers plead which results in his death. Conclusion Indeed, ancient and modern tragedies show an outstanding plot whereby, the involved male protagonists had a secondary feminine character whose irresistible role served to threaten the former masculinity and also contributed to interweave their political self. This is evident basing on Shakespeare play Coriolanus as discussed throughout in this paper. It’s through his mother’s influence and control throughout his life that Coriolanus tragedy is inevitable. Work Cited William, Shakespeare: Coriolanus. Ontario: Signet, 2002. Print. Read More