The Theme of Power in Coriolanus

Shakespeare demonstrated his ability of establishing the overarching theme of power in his remarkably political play Coriolanus through effectively and directly documenting a political tragedy prompted or motivated by a dilemma where the abuse of political power acts as a bone of contention which is an issue that’s very relevant to the setting of the play that takes place in Ancient Rome and more specifically the marketplace where the central idea of the play is cemented.

Here, Shakespeare specifically demonstrated Coriolanus’s wide power scale in the setting and subsequently foreshadowed his downfall which ultimately portrays how ruinous and dilapidated repercussions are anchored by the supreme authority and hierarchy wielded by Coriolanus who holds an aristocratic power but is unable to alter his decisions and thus adapt to the shifting nature of politics. Where on the contrary, Aufidius, a character reputed for his sharp-wittedness, cleverness, and hypocrisy that is required by any individual in the political sphere or realm has exemplified the art of manipulation. This quality which he possessed has thereby resulted in the power and victory he was aiming for in the political arena dominated by power. 

The time era in which Shakespeare developed the play against the paradigm shift or political transition in power dynamics is reflective of many events relating to the abuse of political power, social inequality, and warfare and is connoting that the tenacity of such a leader's ownership and decisions should be eliminated whereas diplomacy and flexibility of democratic power is an efficacious key to unlock a desired successful outcome.