# Scene V explained — Coriolanus

> Chapter companion for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Motherhood and Influence

Volumnia's maternal authority is publicly celebrated as the force that repeals Coriolanus's banishment and restores peace.

### Political Manipulation

The swift reversal from banishment to acclamation demonstrates the volatility of Roman public opinion and elite orchestration.

## Character check-ins

### Volumnia

Hailed as the patroness and life of Rome, her influence leads to calls for Coriolanus's repeal.

### Virgilia

Present among the honored ladies, part of the group celebrated for saving Rome.

### Valeria

Included in the welcome as one of the ladies credited with Rome's deliverance.

### Senator

First Senator proclaims Volumnia as patroness and orchestrates the public celebration.

## Key lines

> Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!

Look at our protector, the one who keeps Rome alive!

_The Senator elevates Volumnia to a near-divine status as Rome's savior._

> Unshout the noise that banish’d Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother

Cancel the shouts that exiled Marcius and bring him back by honoring his mother.

_The Senator urges the people to reverse their earlier condemnation through public celebration of Volumnia._

## Links

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