Student Question
What is the significance of the title Coriolanus in Shakespeare's play?
Quick answer:
The title "Coriolanus" signifies the honorific title granted to Caius Marcius for his military achievements. Ironically, despite his defense of Rome, the Senate and people turn against him, leading to his alliance with Rome's enemy, the Volscians. This highlights the tragic irony of his character: a hero who ultimately seeks Rome's destruction due to his inability to navigate Roman politics effectively.
The title character's full name is Caius Marcius Coriolanus. "Coriolanus" is not a family name; it's an honorific title bestowed on him by the Roman Senate in commemoration of his military exploits. This is somewhat ironic, as the Senate will, like the people of Rome, turn against Coriolanus despite his heroic efforts to defend the city from its enemies.
And in a further twist of irony, Coriolanus will ally himself with the Volscians (among the most dangerous of Rome's enemies) after he is deposed from power. So the man who earned the name Coriolanus for defending Rome is now actively seeking its destruction.
Coriolanus's tragedy is that he's unable to translate his undoubted talent as a military leader into the political skills necessary to thrive in the cutthroat world of Roman politics.
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