IOC Passage- Act 4, Scene 5 of Coriolanus

Attached is my IOC of a passage extracted from Act 4, Scene 5 of the play Coriolanus and my annotated version of the extract.

Click the following link for my IOC:

IOC of Coriolanus Passage

Annotated Passage:

Theme of Power

Shakespeare develops the theme of power in the political play Coriolanus (1605-1608)  through the use of portraying contrasting characters during a paradigm shift of the political structure in Elizabethan England. The characterisation of characters like Coriolanus, Volumnia and Aufidius further divulges into the political contextual significance of the play as Shakespeare is able to display the controversy of social and political power. Further more, Shakespeare demonstrates the juxtaposition of certain characters like Coriolanus whom unveils traits like swallowing his pride as opposed to Aufidius whom is able to manipulate Coriolanus for his own advantage. Coriolanus is perceived as a demigod due to his courageous self that is determined to battle in war as he is driven by his ambition to take the throne. However, he struggles to succeed as his tragic flaw of not being able to swallow his pride leads to his downfall. To justify, Coriolanus character of being powerful anachronistically is not suitable for the transitioning political system in this era. Unlike Coriolanus, Aufidus is emotionally powerful as he is capable of indirectly manipulating Coriolanus by gaining his respect in order to use Coriolanus as a weapon against Rome for his own advantage. Although Aufiidus has an envious nature towards Coriolanus, he isn't afraid to swallow his pride of which is what allows him to defeat Coriolanus. Shakespeare effectually portrays such contrasting characters solely for the purpose of allowing the audience to grasp the sense of what political power meant during the Elizabethan era. Not to forget Volumnia whom is Coriolanus' mother plays a vital role in her son's life as he always depends on her convictions. As evident in Act 5, Shakespeare demonstrates how Volumnia was the only character that was able to convince Coriolanus to not attack Rome in order to connote the sense that she has a cardinal say in his actions and responsibilities. To justify, her superior beliefs and outlooks on particular facets overrides Coriolanus' individual persona. Shakespeare effectively cements the contextualisation of the transitioning political system in Elizabethan England through the use of certain characters that drive the theme of political power.