Shakespeare’s Coriolanus Reveals Early Naturalism, UNIMED Scholars Show How Society Shapes Tragic Fate
A team of researchers from Universitas Negeri Medan (UNIMED), Indonesia, has found strong evidence that William Shakespeare’s political tragedy Coriolanus (1608) contains clear elements of literary naturalism—decades before naturalism formally emerged as a recognized movement in the late nineteenth century. The study, published in 2026 in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), was conducted by Dr. Syamsul Bahri alongside Syifa Inayah Hanani Zulfa, Nadia Kumari, Steffani Trifena Napitupulu, and Jessica Hotnida Nainggolan. Their analysis suggests that the downfall of the Roman general Caius Martius Coriolanus is not merely a personal failure, but the predictable outcome of social pressure, political conflict, and environmental forces that limit individual freedom. The findings matter because they reshape how scholars, students, and general readers understand Shakespeare’s relevance to modern debates about power, class, and political manipulation.
Why this research matters today
Shakespeare is often taught as a timeless dramatist whose characters act mainly from personal ambition, morality, or psychological flaws. However, the UNIMED researchers argue that Coriolanus can also be read as a prototype of naturalist literature, where individuals are shaped—sometimes crushed—by external forces beyond their control. In contemporary society, similar dynamics are visible in political polarization, populism, elite-versus-public tensions, and media-driven public opinion. By reinterpreting Coriolanus through a naturalist lens, the study connects a four-century-old play to present-day power struggles, making classical literature more meaningful for modern audiences.
The play itself tells the story of a brilliant military leader who wins great victories for Rome but deeply despises the common people. When he refuses to perform the traditional public display of humility required to become consul, he loses political support, is exiled, allies with Rome’s enemy, and ultimately meets a violent death. Rather than portraying this as pure personal hubris, the UNIMED team frames Coriolanus as a product of his upbringing, social class, and political environment—core ideas in naturalist thought.
How the study was conducted
The researchers used a qualitative, text-based approach rather than surveys or experiments. They closely read the full script of Coriolanus and selected 25 key passages that best represented patterns in the story. These excerpts were analyzed using seven principles of naturalism developed by American literary critic Vernon L. Parrington: objectivity, frankness, amoral attitude toward material wealth, determinism, focus on negative details, vulnerability to certain influences, and pessimism.
Instead of relying on complex academic terminology, the team examined how Shakespeare portrays conflict, emotion, power, and fate through dialogue and action. They compared character behavior, public reactions, and political consequences across multiple scenes to determine whether Coriolanus acts freely or is driven by larger forces.
Key findings
The analysis revealed that naturalist themes appear consistently throughout Coriolanus, with some elements more dominant than others:
-Emphasis on harsh realities (28%) – Most prominent.
Shakespeare frequently highlights anger, humiliation, class conflict, and violence. Coriolanus’s disdain for the lower class and the people’s resentment toward him are depicted in blunt, often brutal language.
-Objective portrayal of conflict (16%).
The play presents political unrest, hunger, and inequality without moral preaching. Both the elite and the masses are shown as flawed, self-interested, and reactive.
-Indifference to material wealth (16%).
Coriolanus does not seek money or popularity. His actions are driven by pride, honor, and temperament rather than personal gain.
-Determinism, or fate shaped by environment (12%).
Many of Coriolanus’s choices—especially his eventual submission to his mother, Volumnia—are interpreted as results of family pressure and political expectations rather than free will.
-Blunt and direct language (12%).
The play contains insults, sharp rhetoric, and emotionally raw exchanges that align with naturalist views of human behavior.
-Susceptibility to influence (8%).
The Roman crowd is easily swayed by political leaders, while Coriolanus is easily provoked by challenges to his honor.
-Underlying pessimism (8%).
The tragic ending reinforces the idea that individuals struggle against systems that ultimately overpower them.
What this means beyond literature
The study suggests that Coriolanus offers valuable insights into modern politics and society. It illustrates how public opinion can be manipulated, how elites can lose legitimacy by dismissing ordinary citizens, and how family loyalty can conflict with public duty. For educators, the research provides a fresh way to teach Shakespeare—not only as high culture, but as a critical mirror of social power dynamics that still operate today.
In political discussions, the play resonates with debates about leadership, accountability, and populism. The researchers argue that Shakespeare anticipated key tensions that remain relevant in democratic societies, where leaders must balance authority with public trust.
Insight from the researchers
Dr. Syamsul Bahri explains that the study does not impose modern theory onto Shakespeare but reveals patterns already present in the text. He notes, “Shakespeare may not have known the term ‘naturalism,’ but he clearly understood how individuals are shaped by blood, environment, and power structures.”
Author profiles
Dr. Syamsul Bahri, M.Hum. – Lecturer in English Literature at Universitas Negeri Medan (UNIMED), specializing in Shakespeare, literary theory, and naturalist criticism.
Syifa Inayah Hanani Zulfa, S.S. – Emerging researcher in drama studies and literary analysis at UNIMED.
Nadia Kumari, S.S. – UNIMED scholar focusing on classical theater and representations of power.
Steffani Trifena Napitupulu, S.S. – Researcher examining the relationship between literature and society.
Jessica Hotnida Nainggolan, S.S. – UNIMED graduate with expertise in textual analysis and cultural criticism.
Source
Bahri, S., Zulfa, S. I. H., Kumari, N., Napitupulu, S. T., & Nainggolan, J. H. (2026). Naturalism in Shakespeare’s Drama: Coriolanus. International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS). DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v4i1.138
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