# Scene VII explained — Coriolanus

> Chapter companion for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Arrogance

Aufidius attributes Coriolanus's downfall to pride, which 'out of daily fortune ever taints the happy man,' highlighting how arrogance undermines even the greatest warriors.

### Political Manipulation

Aufidius's calculated patience and his plan to use Coriolanus's own merits against him exemplify the manipulative strategies employed by political and military leaders.

## Character check-ins

### Tullus Aufidius

Aufidius expresses jealousy and resentment towards Coriolanus's popularity among the Volscian troops, but bides his time, planning to eventually destroy him.

### Caius Marcius Coriolanus

Though not present, Coriolanus is the subject of discussion; his pride, martial prowess, and the reasons for his banishment from Rome are analyzed by Aufidius.

## Key lines

> Your soldiers use him as the grace ’fore meat, Their talk at table, and their thanks at end; And you are darken’d in this action, sir, Even by your own.

Your own troops treat Coriolanus like a blessing before meals, talk about him constantly, and thank him at the end of the day; you are being overshadowed in this campaign by your own ally.

_The lieutenant warns Aufidius that Coriolanus has become more revered than their own commander._

> One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail; Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.

One flame extinguishes another; one nail pushes out another; just claims undermine each other, and powerful forces defeat one another.

_Aufidius uses a proverb to express that Coriolanus's own strength will eventually be his undoing._

## Links

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