The political play of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus is depicted in Ancient Rome. It is set in a time where the Roman Empire transitioned from a monarchy to a democracy thus displaying a major power struggle as some were able to adapt better than others. At the start of the play the plebeians (citizens) are protesting in the streets while the ruling class has all the power. Tullus Aufidius, leader of the Volscian army wages war on Rome and Coriolanus known as the great war hero goes and defeats him. This play is significant in the way that the hero is portrayed. Rather than him being a noble, selfless war hero, Coriolanus is characterized as power-hungry, arrogant and proud which makes him a great warrior but leads to his downfall. Even though he is characterizes negatively, the audience starts feels empathy towards the protagonist as it becomes clear that his personality is a reflection of his mother’s power over him as she influences Coriolanus with her harsh ideologies. Shakespeare uses...