Coriolanus · Chapter
Scene VI explained
Cominius and his soldiers rest after battle.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Valor
Marcius's insistence on immediate combat and his rallying cry for those who value 'brave death outweighs bad life' highlight the theme of honor and valor.
Pride and Arrogance
Marcius's disdain for the common soldiers ('The mouse ne’er shunn’d the cat as they did budge') and his self-aggrandizing call to 'follow Marcius' reflect his pride.
Characters to notice
- Cominius
Commands the Roman forces, receives news from the messenger, and grants Marcius's request to lead an attack.
- Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Arrives bloodied from battle at Corioli, eager to fight Aufidius, and rallies the soldiers to follow him.
- Messenger
Brings news of the battle at Corioli, delayed by Volscian spies.
- Titus Lartius
Mentioned as holding Corioli in the name of Rome, busy with decrees.
- Tullus Aufidius
Mentioned as the leader of the Antiates and the heart of the Volscian hope.
Key passages
“Breathe you, my friends: well fought; we are come off Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, Nor cowardly in retire”
Rest, my friends; we fought well and retreated like true Romans, neither foolishly standing our ground nor cowardly running away.
Cominius praises his soldiers for their disciplined retreat.
“O, let me clip ye In arms as sound as when I woo’d, in heart As merry as when our nuptial day was done”
Let me embrace you with arms as strong as when I courted my wife, and with a heart as joyful as our wedding night.
Marcius greets Cominius with affectionate and martial enthusiasm.
“If any think brave death outweighs bad life And that his country’s dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so many so minded, Wave thus, to express his disposition, And follow Marcius.”
If anyone believes that an honorable death is better than a shameful life, and that his country is more important than himself, let him alone—or if many feel the same—wave your swords to show your intent, and follow Marcius.
Marcius calls for volunteers who value honor and country above personal safety.