Coriolanus · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.
Chapter 1
Act I
Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 2
Scene I
A group of mutinous citizens, armed with staves and clubs, gather in Rome to protest against the patricians, particularly targeting Caius Marcius for his pride and enmity toward the common people. Menenius Agrippa attempts to pacify them with the fable of the belly, arguing that the senators, like the belly, distribute benefits to all parts of the state. The citizens are unconvinced until Caius Marcius himself arrives and berates them harshly, escalating the conflict.
Chapter 3
Scene II
In the Volscian senate-house, Tullus Aufidius and senators discuss Rome's awareness of their plans. Aufidius reveals intelligence that Rome has raised an army led by Cominius, Marcius, and Titus Lartius, likely targeting the Volscians. The senators authorize Aufidius to lead their forces, and Aufidius vows to confront his old enemy Caius Marcius in combat.
Chapter 4
Scene III
In Marcius's home, Volumnia and Virgilia sew while Volumnia extols the virtues of martial honor over domestic comfort, recounting how she sent her son to war as a youth. Virgilia expresses fear for her husband's safety, but Volumnia dismisses her concerns. Valeria visits, bringing news of the war against the Volsces, and invites them to join her, but Virgilia refuses to leave until her husband returns.
Chapter 5
Scene IV: Before Corioli
Marcius and Titus Lartius lead Roman forces before the Volscian city of Corioli. After a brief parley with senators on the walls, the Volsces sally forth and initially drive the Romans back. Marcius, enraged by his soldiers' cowardice, rallies them and pursues the fleeing Volsces into the city gates, which close behind him, trapping him alone inside. Titus Lartius laments his apparent death, but Marcius emerges bleeding and fighting, and the Romans enter the city.
Chapter 6
Scene V
Marcius and Titus Lartius enter a street in Corioli with Romans carrying spoils. Marcius scolds the looters for their greed and urges them to join the fight against Aufidius. Despite his wounds, Marcius insists on continuing to battle, leaving Lartius to secure the city.
Chapter 7
Scene VI
Cominius and his soldiers rest after battle. A messenger reports that Marcius and Lartius are engaged at Corioli. Marcius arrives, bloodied, and insists on immediately leading an attack against Aufidius and his Antiates. Cominius grants his request, and Marcius rallies the troops, who enthusiastically volunteer to follow him.
Chapter 8
Scene VII
Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioli, prepares to march with drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Marcius. He instructs the Lieutenant to guard the gates and, if needed, send centuries to their aid, acknowledging that if they lose the field they cannot keep the town. The Lieutenant reassures him, and Lartius orders the gates shut as they depart for the Roman camp.
Chapter 9
Scene VIII
Marcius and Aufidius meet in single combat on the battlefield. They exchange fierce insults and engage in a duel, but Volscian soldiers intervene to aid Aufidius, which Marcius condemns as dishonorable.
Chapter 10
Scene IX
In the Roman camp, Cominius and the army celebrate Marcius's heroic deeds in battle. Cominius offers Marcius a tenth of the spoils, but Marcius refuses, insisting he acted only for his country. Cominius then bestows upon him the name 'Coriolanus' in honor of his capture of Corioli. Marcius, though uncomfortable with praise, accepts the honor and requests the freedom of a poor man who had housed him in Corioli. The scene ends with the army preparing to rest and send news to Rome.
Chapter 11
Scene X
In the Volscian camp, Tullus Aufidius, bloodied from battle, expresses his bitter frustration at being repeatedly defeated by Marcius. He vows to use any means—force or cunning—to kill Marcius, even if it means violating sacred laws of hospitality. He sends a soldier to gather intelligence on the city's status.
Chapter 12
Act II
Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 13
Scene I
Menenius engages in a heated verbal exchange with the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus, defending Marcius against accusations of pride. The scene shifts as Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria announce Marcius's victorious return to Rome. Coriolanus enters in triumph, crowned with an oaken garland, and is warmly welcomed by his family and the patricians. The tribunes, left alone, plot to undermine his popularity and prevent his election as consul.
Chapter 14
Scene II
In the Capitol, officers discuss Coriolanus's pride and his disdain for the common people. The senate convenes to honor Coriolanus for his military service, with Cominius recounting his heroic deeds. Despite the senate's decision to make him consul, Coriolanus resists the custom of asking the people for their votes, revealing his contempt for them. The tribunes Sicinius and Brutus observe his attitude and plan to inform the people.
Chapter 15
Scene III
Coriolanus, wearing the gown of humility, solicits votes from the citizens for the consulship, but his contemptuous and mocking demeanor alienates many. After being approved, the tribunes Brutus and Sicinius manipulate the citizens into revoking their support, plotting to exploit Coriolanus's pride and anger to prevent his confirmation.
Chapter 16
Act III
Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 17
Scene I
Coriolanus returns to Rome as consul but immediately clashes with the tribunes Brutus and Sicinius, who accuse him of plotting against the people. The tribunes incite a mob to seize Coriolanus and throw him from the Tarpeian rock. Menenius tries to calm the situation and persuades the tribunes to give him a chance to bring Coriolanus to a lawful hearing, while Coriolanus's proud and unyielding nature threatens to spark civil conflict.
Chapter 18
Scene II
In a room in Coriolanus's house, Coriolanus remains defiant against the plebeians, refusing to show humility. Volumnia, Menenius, and Cominius urge him to adopt a conciliatory tone to secure the consulship. After intense persuasion, Coriolanus reluctantly agrees to go to the marketplace and speak mildly to the people.
Chapter 19
Scene III
Coriolanus is formally banished from Rome after a heated confrontation with the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus. Despite appeals from Menenius and Cominius, the tribunes manipulate the citizens to enforce banishment. Coriolanus defiantly curses the people and leaves, declaring 'There is a world elsewhere.'
Chapter 20
Act IV
Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 21
Scene I
Coriolanus bids farewell to his family and friends before leaving Rome, urging them to show courage and not weep. Volumnia and Menenius express their sorrow, while Cominius offers to accompany him for a time. Coriolanus insists on going alone, likening himself to a lonely dragon, and promises to remain true to his nature.
Chapter 22
Scene II
Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius confront the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus after Coriolanus's banishment. Volumnia fiercely berates them, defending her son's honor and condemning their role in his exile, while Menenius tries to keep the peace.
Chapter 23
Scene III
A Roman and a Volscian meet on a highway. The Roman, Nicanor, informs the Volscian, Adrian, of the political turmoil in Rome following Coriolanus's banishment. The Volscian state, anticipating war, has an army ready. They agree to travel together, with Nicanor promising to share more intelligence.
Chapter 24
Scene IV
Coriolanus, disguised and in mean apparel, arrives in Antium and asks a citizen for directions to Aufidius's house. He reflects on the fickleness of friendship and enmity, declaring his hatred for Rome and his willingness to serve Aufidius or die by his hand.
Chapter 25
Scene V
Coriolanus, disguised and in exile, enters Aufidius's house in Antium. He is initially mistreated by the servingmen but reveals his identity to Aufidius, offering to fight against Rome in exchange for revenge. Aufidius, moved by Coriolanus's words, forgives past enmity and welcomes him as an ally, offering him command of half the Volscian army. The servingmen comment on the transformation and the impending war.
Chapter 26
Scene VI
In Rome, the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus initially celebrate the peace and quiet following Coriolanus's banishment, but news arrives that the Volsces, led by Aufidius and joined by Coriolanus, are invading Roman territories. Cominius and Menenius condemn the tribunes and citizens for their role in the exile, and the citizens begin to regret their decision as fear spreads through the city.
Chapter 27
Scene VII
Aufidius and his lieutenant discuss Coriolanus's growing influence over the Volscian soldiers, which overshadows Aufidius himself. Aufidius reflects on Coriolanus's pride and the flaws that led to his banishment from Rome, and hints at a future reckoning where he will turn against him.
Chapter 28
Act V
Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 29
Scene I
Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, and Brutus discuss Coriolanus's refusal to listen to Cominius's plea for mercy. Menenius initially refuses to intervene but eventually agrees to try to persuade Coriolanus, though Cominius doubts he will succeed. They decide to seek help from Coriolanus's mother and wife.
Chapter 30
Scene II
Menenius attempts to plead with Coriolanus at the Volscian camp, but Coriolanus, now allied with Aufidius, coldly rejects him, refusing to hear his suit and asserting that his loyalties lie with the Volscians.
Chapter 31
Scene III
In the Volscian camp, Coriolanus prepares to march on Rome but is confronted by his mother Volumnia, his wife Virgilia, his son, and Valeria. Volumnia delivers a powerful plea, arguing that his attack would destroy his family and legacy. Coriolanus yields to her, agreeing to make peace, which sets the stage for his downfall as Aufidius plots revenge.
Chapter 32
Scene IV
Menenius and Sicinius discuss Coriolanus's transformation into a dragon-like figure, with Menenius expressing despair that even his mother cannot sway him. A messenger arrives with news that the Roman ladies have prevailed, the Volscians have retreated, and Marcius is gone, leading to widespread rejoicing in Rome.
Chapter 33
Scene V
Senators and citizens celebrate Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria as saviors of Rome, calling for the repeal of Coriolanus's banishment and welcoming the ladies with triumphant fanfare.
Chapter 34
Endnotes
The endnotes discuss a textual deficiency discovered in Act Two, Scene Three of the First Folio, and how editors used Shakespeare's source material, Plutarch's Parallel Lives, to propose corrections. Two popular emendations are cited from Clark and Wright's 1887 Victoria edition and Dover Wilson's editions.
Chapter 35
Endnotes
The endnotes discuss a textual deficiency discovered in Act Two, Scene Three of the First Folio, and how editors used Shakespeare's source material, Plutarch's Parallel Lives, to propose corrections. Two popular emendations are cited from Clark and Wright's 1887 Victoria edition and Dover Wilson's editions.
