Coriolanus - William Shakespeare

Summary

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare tells the tragic story of Caius Marcius, a brilliant but arrogant Roman general. The play opens amidst a famine and plebeian unrest, which Coriolanus (as he is later named) despises. His military prowess is undeniable when he single-handedly conquers the Volscian city of Corioles and defeats their general, Tullus Aufidius, earning him the name "Coriolanus."

Upon his triumphant return, his mother, Volumnia, pushes him to seek the consulship. However, his deep-seated disdain for the common people (the plebeians) and his inability to feign humility for political gain lead him into conflict with the tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, who manipulate the populace against him. Coriolanus's refusal to beg for votes and his fiery contempt for democratic processes result in his banishment from Rome.

Enraged and feeling betrayed, Coriolanus seeks refuge with his arch-enemy, Tullus Aufidius, and pledges to lead the Volscian army against Rome. As the Volscians advance, Rome faces certain destruction. General Cominius and Coriolanus's old friend Menenius fail to persuade him to spare the city. It is only when his mother, Volumnia, accompanied by his wife, Virgilia, and son, pleads with him on her knees, reminding him of his duty to Rome and his family, that Coriolanus relents, making a deal that spares Rome but compromises his position with Aufidius.

Aufidius, resentful of Coriolanus's popularity and his decision, orchestrates his murder. Coriolanus is ultimately killed by Aufidius's conspirators, a victim of his own uncompromising nature, political naiveté, and the conflicting demands of personal honor versus political expediency.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens in Rome, where citizens (plebeians) are rioting due to famine and high prices, blaming the patricians (the ruling class) for hoarding grain. Their particular target is Caius Marcius, a renowned general, whom they view as an enemy of the common people. Menenius Agrippa, an old patrician, tries to calm them with a fable about the body's parts, arguing that all classes are essential, but the plebeians remain skeptical. Marcius himself arrives and confirms their worst fears, openly expressing his contempt for their cowardice and their newly acquired right to have tribunes to represent them.

News then arrives that the Volscians, led by Tullus Aufidius, are preparing for war. Marcius, eager for battle, leads the Roman forces alongside Cominius and Titus Lartius. They besiege the Volscian city of Corioles. During the battle, the Roman soldiers falter, but Marcius, with singular bravery, re-enters the city gates alone and eventually opens them for the Roman army, leading to its capture. He engages in a fierce, personal combat with Aufidius, both men acknowledging each other as worthy adversaries, though their fight is interrupted. For his extraordinary valor at Corioles, Marcius is given the agnomen "Coriolanus."

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Caius Marcius (Coriolanus)	Roman general, extraordinarily brave, skilled in combat, proud, aristocratic, disdainful of the common people, honest to a fault, uncompromising.	Driven by honor, glory in battle, loyalty to Rome (as he defines it), and a deep-seated contempt for the plebeians and their demands. He seeks to prove his worth through military achievement.
Menenius Agrippa	Elderly Roman patrician, a friend of Coriolanus, wise, witty, tries to mediate between patricians and plebeians, loyal.	Desires stability and peace in Rome, seeks to protect his friend Coriolanus, and uses his wisdom and social standing to influence events and calm social unrest.
Volumnia	Coriolanus's mother, fierce, patriotic, strong-willed, dominant, believes intensely in Roman military honor and duty.	Driven by ambition for her son, a deep love for Rome and its martial traditions, and a desire to see Coriolanus achieve political power and glory. She values honor above all else.
Virgilia	Coriolanus's wife, gentle, submissive, devoted, anxious for her husband's safety.	Driven by love for her husband and family, concern for his well-being, and a desire for him to return safely from war.
Sicinius Velutus	Tribune of the people, astute, manipulative, populist, an antagonist of Coriolanus.	Driven by a desire to protect and expand the power of the plebeians, and to curb the influence of the patricians, particularly Coriolanus, whom he sees as a threat to their newfound political rights.
Junius Brutus	Tribune of the people, shares Sicinius's views, cunning, and instrumental in Coriolanus's downfall.	Similar to Sicinius, he seeks to defend plebeian rights and undermine the patrician elite, viewing Coriolanus as a symbol of aristocratic tyranny.
Cominius	Roman general, Coriolanus's commander and loyal friend, respected.	Loyal to Rome and to Coriolanus, he seeks military victory and supports Coriolanus's military career, acting as a voice of reason at times.
Titus Lartius	Roman general, Coriolanus's companion in arms, a reliable soldier.	Driven by duty, loyalty to Rome, and camaraderie with his fellow soldiers, particularly Coriolanus.
Tullus Aufidius	General of the Volscians, Coriolanus's arch-enemy, equally brave and ambitious, deeply envious of Coriolanus.	Driven by rivalry with Coriolanus, a desire for military glory for the Volscians, and a deep personal hatred/admiration for his Roman counterpart. He seeks to defeat Rome.
Roman Citizens (Plebeians)	The common people of Rome, often portrayed as fickle, easily swayed, demanding, and somewhat cowardly.	Driven by basic needs (food), resentment of patrician power, and a desire for political representation and influence. They are easily manipulated by the tribunes.

Section 2

Coriolanus returns to Rome as a hero, greeted by his proud mother, Volumnia, and his relieved wife, Virgilia. The Senate, recognizing his immense service, proposes him for the consulship. According to tradition, a candidate must present himself to the plebeians in the Forum, wearing the "gown of humility" and soliciting their votes by showing his wounds and recounting his services to Rome.

Coriolanus finds this tradition deeply repugnant. He despises the idea of begging for the approval of people he considers worthless and fickle. He attempts to bypass the custom but is pressured by Menenius and Volumnia to comply, as it is the only way to achieve the consulship. He goes to the Forum, barely concealing his contempt, and struggles to feign humility. Initially, the citizens, impressed by his reputation, are willing to grant him their voices.

However, the tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, observe Coriolanus's thinly veiled arrogance. They instigate the citizens, reminding them of Coriolanus's past insults and his true disdain for them. They argue that he will be a tyrant if elected. The plebeians, easily swayed, retract their approval and demand that Coriolanus be impeached and punished.

Section 3

The conflict escalates dramatically. The tribunes confront Coriolanus, accusing him of treason and tyranny. Coriolanus, unable to control his temper, launches into a furious diatribe against the tribunes and the very idea of plebeian power. He rails against the system that grants political authority to the "mutable, rank-scented many," arguing that allowing them a voice undermines the natural order and will lead to Rome's downfall.

Menenius and other patricians try desperately to calm Coriolanus and diffuse the situation, fearing that his outspokenness will lead to disaster. Volumnia also urges him to be more politically astute, to dissemble and speak gently to the people, but Coriolanus finds such deceit abhorrent. He views it as a betrayal of his honest nature and his warrior's code.

Despite pleas from his friends and family, Coriolanus refuses to compromise. The tribunes, with the support of the now-incensed populace, accuse him of attacking the state. They call for his immediate banishment. Coriolanus, proud to the last, declares that it is he who banishes them from Rome, not the other way around. He leaves the city, predicting its eventual ruin due to its plebeian-dominated politics, rejecting all calls for reconciliation.

Section 4

Coriolanus, alone and consumed by bitterness, sets off from Rome. He bids farewell to his family and friends, still defiant but deeply wounded by the betrayal he feels. He resolves to seek revenge on Rome for its ingratitude.

His journey takes him to Antium, the capital of the Volscians, and to the house of his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius. Disguised, Coriolanus presents himself to Aufidius, revealing his identity and offering his services to the Volscians. He declares that his hatred for Rome now surpasses his hatred for Aufidius, and he is willing to lead the Volscian army against his former city.

Aufidius, initially stunned, embraces Coriolanus. He sees an opportunity to conquer Rome with the help of its greatest general and also a chance to satisfy his long-standing rivalry. The two men, once bitter foes, now forge an uneasy alliance, united by their shared desire to bring down Rome. Aufidius's officers are wary of Coriolanus but ultimately accept him as their new general. Meanwhile, news of Coriolanus's alliance with the Volscians reaches Rome, causing widespread panic and despair.

Section 5

The Volscian army, led by Coriolanus, marches towards Rome, laying waste to the countryside. The Romans are terrified and desperate. General Cominius is sent to plead with Coriolanus to spare the city, reminding him of their past friendship. Coriolanus, however, is resolute in his desire for revenge and rejects Cominius's plea. Next, Menenius, Coriolanus's old and dear friend, attempts to persuade him, recalling their deep bond. Coriolanus is momentarily touched but ultimately remains unmoved, dismissing Menenius with a coldness that shocks him.

Finally, a delegation arrives from Rome: Volumnia, Coriolanus's mother, accompanied by his wife, Virgilia, and his young son, Young Marcius. Volumnia delivers a powerful and emotional speech, appealing to her son's filial duty, his honor, and his love for Rome. She argues that by destroying Rome, he would be destroying his own legacy, his family's name, and her very existence. She kneels before him, followed by Virgilia and Young Marcius, presenting him with an impossible choice: destroy his family and his city, or betray his oath to the Volscians.

Overwhelmed by his mother's plea, Coriolanus breaks down. He agrees to spare Rome, proposing a peace treaty between the Romans and Volscians. He knows this decision will cost him dearly.

Aufidius, who has witnessed the scene, is furious and jealous. He sees Coriolanus's capitulation as a betrayal of their alliance and a sign of weakness. He plots with his conspirators to get rid of Coriolanus. When Coriolanus returns to Antium, Aufidius publicly denounces him as a traitor, calling him "boy" and accusing him of selling out the Volscians for his mother's tears. Coriolanus, enraged by the insult and the ingratitude, defends his actions fiercely, reminding them of his victories for the Volscians. However, Aufidius's conspirators, incited by their leader, stab Coriolanus to death.

Aufidius initially stands over Coriolanus's body in triumph but quickly expresses a sense of regret and honor for his fallen foe. The play ends with the Volscians preparing to give Coriolanus a military burial, acknowledging his greatness even as they celebrate his demise.

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Literary Genre: Tragedy, Roman Play, Political Drama.

Author Facts:

• William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
• He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems.
• Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.
• He was a key member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later the King's Men), a leading acting company in London.

Morale of the Book:

• The danger of uncompromising pride and disdain for the common people: Coriolanus's tragic flaw is his inability to humble himself or feign political civility, leading to his downfall.
• The fickleness and manipulability of the populace: The Roman plebeians are easily swayed by rhetoric, first adoring Coriolanus, then condemning him.
• The tension between military glory and political necessity: The play explores the idea that skills valued in war (courage, directness) can be detrimental in politics (where compromise and persuasion are often necessary).
• The destructive nature of unbridled ambition and rivalry: The cycle of hatred between Coriolanus and Aufidius ultimately consumes both.
• The power of maternal influence: Volumnia's intervention highlights the profound impact of family ties, even on the most rigid individuals.

Curiosities of the Book:

• Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's lesser-performed tragedies, often considered more intellectual and political than emotionally engaging compared to plays like Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet.
• The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman general Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, as recounted in Plutarch's Parallel Lives, a primary source for many of Shakespeare's Roman plays.
• It is believed to be one of Shakespeare's last tragedies, likely written around 1608.
• The play has been interpreted in various political contexts, sometimes seen as a critique of democracy and populism, and other times as a critique of aristocratic arrogance. During the 20th century, it was occasionally seen as a play that could be interpreted as supportive of totalitarian ideologies due to Coriolanus's disdain for the masses, leading to some controversial productions.
• The character of Volumnia is often cited as one of Shakespeare's strongest and most complex female characters, playing a pivotal role in her son's life and ultimate decision.