Particularly interesting in a genre that by its definition wants to please the audience, Shakespeare's play Coriolanus provides a protagonist who is not particularly likable. Constantly offensive in his speeches, proud and hot-tempered, Coriolanus, unlike his mother Volumnia, is neither able nor willing to satisfy the political needs of Rome. His flaw can be seen as a character flaw or simply as a product of his culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There is evidence that Coriolanus is unable to compromise, equivocate, or be diplomatic simply by his very nature. He would have us believe that it is his unshakable love for the truth that prevents him from any kind of political accommodation. To pander to the plebs, show his scars, or even hold his tongue would be somehow dishonorable. This may be an element of his reticence, but it cannot be all of it, because, as Volumnia points out, he is completely willing to use less-than-honest strategies in war, such as using false kindnesses to conquer a city that would otherwise be an uphill battle and cost many lives. Coriolanus knows how to be diplomatic; it simply refuses to be so in the political sphere. However, there are other factors that may explain its lack. For better or worse, we are given the indication that Coriolanus has always been controlled by his mother, Volumnia. She is a strong, decidedly domineering presence in his life. From the beginning it is noted that, like all his military exploits, "he did it to please his mother" (I.1.36-37). She created and manipulated him into the perfect warrior, living vicariously through him to achieve glories she cannot. This being the case, some possibilities present themselves. First, we can imagine that Volumnia, who for whatever reason is and always has been quite cunning, purposely raised her son to be stubborn and obnoxious, because if he were good at the same kinds of verbal games that she is good at, he would be a threat to her control over him. It is much easier to manipulate someone defenseless than someone who understands the "game" just as well. A second possibility is that Coriolanus voluntarily rejects his mother in the only way allowed, in a passive-aggressive way. He says of himself that, although he thinks he deserves it, he actually doesn't want the consulate. It would be socially unacceptable for him not to pursue it, and regardless, he can't say no to his mother. However, saying yes and then doing a terrible job of pursuing it will work just as well. In this way he could purposely incite the plebs to ensure that he was not consul, and thus escape what, for whatever reason, he did not want. Self-destruction may be the only escape he can afford. The toll this takes on him personally makes this possibility less likely, but at the very least he could rebel against his mother by rebelling against her techniques, which have always governed his life, by refusing to use the dramatic skills she teaches him. A third possibility is that Volumnia purposely destroys her son. He says that he would like him to be killed on the battlefield, that is, his glory is more important than his life. Perhaps she, knowing her son's character, maneuvered him into a position where she knew he would incite the plebs, so she could gain personal or secondary glory. The personal cost to her makes this idea a little far-fetched, but it's interesting nonetheless, especially since it is his own wiles that ultimately lead to his destruction, just as they had always motivated him to succeed before. They are there too.