# Coriolanus — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

- [Act I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i.md): Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i.md): 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 attemp
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii.md): 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
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii.md): 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, 
- [Scene IV: Before Corioli](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv.md): 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 soldi
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v.md): 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 contin
- [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi.md): 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.
- [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vii.md): 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, ackno
- [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-viii.md): 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.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ix.md): 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
- [Scene X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-x.md): 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
- [Act II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii.md): Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i.md): 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
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii.md): 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
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii.md): 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 t
- [Act III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii.md): Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i.md): 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 Tarp
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii.md): 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
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii.md): 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. Coriol
- [Act IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv.md): Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i.md): 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 
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii.md): 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 t
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii.md): 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. The
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv.md): 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 willingnes
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v.md): 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, 
- [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi.md): 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 territo
- [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii.md): 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 Rom
- [Act V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v.md): Coriolanus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i.md): 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 d
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii.md): 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.
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii.md): 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 f
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv.md): 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 prevail
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v.md): 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.
- [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi.md): In Antium, Aufidius conspires with his faction to kill Coriolanus, accusing him of betraying the Volscians by making peace with Rome out of love for his family. Coriolanus arrives to present the peace treaty, but Aufidiu
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi.md): 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 emendati

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