In Rome a group of mutinous citizens are angry about the shortage of food and are resentful of their patrician rulers. Menenius Agrippa, a popular patrician, has just calmed them when the arrogant young general Caius Martius enters. Showing his disdain for the common people he reports that tribunes, including Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus, have been appointed to speak for the plebeians.

The Senate sends Martius with the army against the threatening Volscian forces led by Tullus Aufidius. Martius's mother, Volumnia, meanwhile, glories in her son's valour and discusses the importance of military prowess with his gentle wife Virgilia. Martius almost single-handedly defeats the Volscians in their city of Corioli and earns the title 'Coriolanus'. On return to Rome the patricians choose him to succeed Cominius as Consul. Proudly he accepts the honour but wishes not to proceed with the customary act of humility in seeking the vote of the citizens in the market place. He is persuaded to carry out the duty and despite their doubts the people ratify the election until, urged on by the Sicinius and Brutus, they determine to reverse the decision.

In the ensuing public argument Coriolanus displays his contempt for the people and denies their right to corn supplies. Despite the encouragement of the senators and of his mother Coriolanus cannot make his peace with the tribunes and the plebeians. He is expelled from Rome in rage and disgust, and in disguise he goes to the Volscian city of Antium where he is welcomed by Aufidius who admires and respects his former enemy.

Back in Rome the tribunes rejoice that Coriolanus is gone until they hear that he has joined forces with Aufidius to challenge the city. The embassies of Cominius and of Menenius are rejected and the Romans fear defeat by their own hero until Volumnia, Virgila and Coriolanus's young son go to plead for their people. Coriolanus cannot resist his mother's entreaties and agrees to make peace.

Aufidius is incensed at this betrayal of trust and with his chosen soldiers he kills Coriolanus. Once his anger is gone Aufidius agrees to to take part in the funeral of a worthy warrior.

'Coriolanus' was written about 1608 and was first printed in the 'First Folio' of 1623.

© Marian J. Pringle
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