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Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Comparative prompt for 117S:

The Veil of Anachronisms

How does Shakespeare pull a Christian veil over pagan settings? How do Christian elements—such as Coriolanus’ Christ-like wounds or Tamora’s pleas for mercy—and Roman elements—such as honor and constancy—interact? What can the reader learn from the blending of cultural references; how do they aid in character development and/or relay larger themes of the play? How else are Christian anachronisms used in Roman plays? Please craft a focused argument, supported with close readings of the text, in response to one or more of these (or other) questions.