play until this point and also shows how Shakespeare warps the rules of traditional tragedy in his immense and wonderful-to-analyze world of language. The initial section of this speech is the collapse of Coriolanus’ pride at the catalyst of his mother’s coercion and the shock within himself that something could actually stop him from attacking Rome. The next section is Coriolanus quickly rebuilding the shattered blocks of his pride and channeling them towards his nobility by accepting that he might die for realizing his fault and stopping the pending war. Finally, there is Coriolanus’ appeal to Aufidius. It is crucial because it directly asks if the power of this woman’s arguments can move Coriolanus to tears and abandonment of his pride, shouldn’t they be as effective to Aufidius? While some may argue Coriolanus is doomed for death at the initial arguments with the patricians at the beginning of the play, it is important to observe this speech in act Five within the context of the play and his death as well. It is accessible in utilizing analysis tools that have been brought forth in class. Most specifically, its form both internally and how it fits to the rest of the play speaks of its importance. It creates a wonderfully dynamic triangle of struggle between Volumnia, Coriolanus, and Aufidius. It is also the last shift within Coriolanus’ decisions that will send him to death. Ironically and subtly Shakespeare has him speak of the gods laughing at this immediately after he has made the decision. Shakespeare demonstrates that the higher the level of headstrong pride within a character, the more shattering the effect is if another character with more power is able to second-guess their personality. In these eleven lines, Volumnia has triggered the crushing blow to Coriolanus’ pride and in return sparked the super objective of Aufidius back to light thus leading to the ever-foreshadowe...
