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Style
Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Tone
Explanation and Analysis—Serious and Cynical:
Coriolanus is characterized by a serious and often cynical tone, reflecting the play's generally pessimistic handling of such heavy topics as political violence, warfare, and revenge. The seriousness of the play is reflected by the character of Coriolanus himself. His stoic and unyielding nature, coupled with a disdain for the political manipulations of the tribunes and the fickleness of the Roman populace, sets a tone of unyielding severity. Coriolanus's tragic inability to navigate the nuances of political diplomacy, driven by a rigid sense of honor and a patronizing disgust towards the common people of Rome, contributes to the serious and tragic undertones of the play. Coriolanus has little time for comedy, and the play named for him has very few moments of comic relief, even by the standards of Shakespeare's more somber tragedies.
