# Scene I explained — Coriolanus

> Chapter companion for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Arrogance

Coriolanus's refusal to flatter the people or temper his speech reflects his overwhelming pride, which leads to his downfall.

### Class Conflict

The tribunes and citizens accuse Coriolanus of wanting to strip them of their liberties, highlighting the deep divide between patricians and plebeians.

### Political Manipulation

Brutus and Sicinius manipulate the crowd's anger to consolidate their own power and destroy Coriolanus.

## Character check-ins

### Caius Marcius Coriolanus

Defiant and unyielding, he refuses to flatter the people and openly despises the tribunes, leading to his near-arrest.

### Menenius Agrippa

Acts as a peacemaker, trying to calm both sides and arranging to bring Coriolanus to a lawful hearing.

### Sicinius Velutus

Aggressively leads the tribunes in accusing Coriolanus of treason and demands his execution.

### Junius Brutus

Supports Sicinius in denouncing Coriolanus and inciting the citizens against him.

### Cominius

Defends Coriolanus and urges him to withdraw to avoid further conflict.

### Titus Lartius

Briefly reports on Aufidius's movements and Coriolanus's past encounters with him.

## Key lines

> His nature is too noble for the world: He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for's power to thunder.

His character is too honorable for this world; he would not flatter even the gods themselves.

_Menenius explains that Coriolanus's inability to flatter is a noble flaw._

> What is the city but the people?

The city is nothing without its citizens.

_Sicinius argues that the people are the essence of Rome._

> He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for's power to thunder.

He would not flatter even the gods for their power.

_Menenius emphasizes Coriolanus's stubborn honesty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters