Coriolanus · Chapter
Scene VI explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Political Manipulation
Sicinius and Brutus manipulate public opinion, first celebrating the peace after Coriolanus's exile and then trying to downplay the threat when news of the invasion arrives.
Exile and Identity
Coriolanus's banishment leads to his alliance with Rome's enemies, transforming him from a Roman hero into a vengeful leader against his former city.
Class Conflict
The tribunes and citizens are blamed by Menenius and Cominius for the crisis, highlighting the ongoing tension between the patricians and the plebeians.
Characters to notice
- Sicinius Velutus
Sicinius initially boasts of the peace after Coriolanus's banishment, but later shows fear upon hearing of the Volscian invasion led by Coriolanus.
- Junius Brutus
Brutus joins Sicinius in celebrating the calm, but becomes alarmed by the news of Coriolanus's alliance with Aufidius and the advancing army.
- Menenius Agrippa
Menenius defends Coriolanus, criticizes the tribunes and citizens for their actions, and expresses despair at the impending threat.
- Cominius
Cominius brings dire news of Coriolanus leading the Volscian army, condemns the tribunes and citizens, and describes the hopelessness of Rome's situation.
- Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Coriolanus is reported to have joined Aufidius and is leading a Volscian army against Rome, seeking revenge for his banishment.
- Tullus Aufidius
Aufidius is mentioned as leading the Volscian forces alongside Coriolanus, obeying his commands as if he were his officer.
- First Citizen
The First Citizen expresses regret for having supported Coriolanus's banishment, reflecting the citizens' changing sentiment.
- Second Citizen
The Second Citizen echoes the First Citizen's regret, admitting that the banishment was a mistake.
Key passages
“Your Coriolanus Is not much miss'd, but with his friends: The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do, Were he more angry at it.”
Sicinius tells Menenius that Coriolanus is not missed except by his friends, and the state is stable and would remain so even if he were angrier.
Sicinius downplays Coriolanus's importance to the commonwealth after his exile.
“He is their god: he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him, Against us brats, with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Or butchers killing flies.”
Cominius describes Coriolanus as a god-like leader to the Volscians, who follow him with the ease of boys chasing butterflies or butchers killing flies.
Cominius emphasizes Coriolanus's overwhelming power and the Volscians' unquestioning loyalty.
“You have made good work, You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters!”
Menenius sarcastically blames the tribunes and the common citizens for the crisis, mocking their reliance on the opinions of tradesmen and garlic-eating plebeians.
Menenius criticizes the tribunes for empowering the lower classes, which led to Coriolanus's exile.
“If he could burn us all into one coal, We have deserved it.”
Menenius says that if Coriolanus were to burn them all to a single coal, they would deserve it for their actions.
Menenius expresses guilt and acceptance of punishment for the city's mistreatment of Coriolanus.
