『코리오레이너스』에 나타난 정치적 대립과 갈등의 문제

Abstract

This paper aims to study the limits of the political conflict and confrontation between Coriolanus and plebeian in Coriolanus. In general Coriolanus has been read in political, economical, and historical aspects. These approaches concern themselves with the corn riots in England, and more especially, peasants’upheaval of 1607. It is clear that this political revolt in England at this time, makes Shakespeare draw Roman republicanism into his Roman plays. Shakespeare purposely make the opening scene of Coriolanus rising the plebeian’s riots. They require the right price of corns and the food distribution. It is the food that brings about the problem of their conflicts with Coriolanus including patricians. In addition to this social factor, the chief causes of their confrontation and conflict are related with the process of counselorship selection, plebeians’behaviors in war, and Coriolanus’s banishment. Coriolanus devotes himself body and soul to his society and his family. He s has served Rome in a superhuman way on the battlefield, but knows well that constancy and pride of his nature would not endure the progress and compromises required in the political system. Also, he cannot pretend to sympathize with the plebeians. As a result he is placed in a position where he jeopardizes the political equilibrium of the society, and is banished out of Rome. He perceives his banishment as a betrayal by the Roman society and determines to revenge himself on ingrateful Rome. In the end Shakespeare is not concerned with the rise and decline of Roman republicanism, but the changing political order of Roman society and the conflicts of interaction among the political powers.