Coriolanus - John's Notes

Coriolanus – Spring 2014

Act	Scene
I	1	Starts with a riot as the citizens seek the death of Martius, an aristocrat, known for his pride.  Menenius quells them by justifying the aristocracy with a humorous fable.  Martius arrives and reports that the rioting has resulted in a concession to the commoners; they can elect their own judges (called tribunes).  News arrives that Rome is being threatened by the Volsces and a delegation (generals Cominius and Lartius, some senators and the two new tribunes (Sicinius and Brutus)) comes to seek Martius' support in repelling the invaders.  He agrees as he wishes to fight his former foe, Aufidius.  When the aristocrats depart, the tribunes speak of their hatred of Martius.
	2	At Corioles the city's senators meet with Aufidius, and it is agreed that he will take the field and they will defend their city.
	3	Virgilia is not pleased that her husband has gone to war, but Volumnia declares her son's death would bring her more joy than his birth and describes the wounds she hopes he receives as they will increase his honour.  Valaria comes to visit and after a chat about young Martius she tells them that Martius and Cominius are besieging Corioles.
	4	At Corioles combat begins after the Volsces defy the Romans, who retreat.  Martius curses them and charges alone through the gates.  They believe him dead, but he emerges, chased by the Volsces.  The Romans rally.
	5	Corioles is taken and Martius, despite his wounds, insists that he joins Cominius, who is fighting Aufidius.
	6	Cominius is retreating, when Martius arrives and wants to resume the fight and face Aufidius.
	7	Lartius places a lieutenant in charge of Corioles and goes to join Cominius and Martius.
	8	Martius and Aufidius fight; several Volsces assist their general, but Martius drives them away and Aufidius cries out he has been shamed by their 'support'.
	9	Martius is very modest about his deeds, but Cominius proposes that, because of his courage, he shall be known as Coriolanus.
	10	Aufidius rages against Martius who has now defeated him five times.  He swears he will not lose again even if he has to use treachery instead of valour.
II	1	Menenius admonishes the tribunes for their animosity towards Martius and scorns the bad judgment of the common people they represent.  The ladies arrive to greet Martius and show him a letter saying that there is another at his house.  They talk about Martius and his wounds until he arrives, now called Coriolanus, and is formally welcomed and taken to the Capitol to receive more honours.  The tribunes remain, voicing their resentment that he will be nominated as consul.  Their hope is that because of his pride he will probably refuse to show his scars to the people (as tradition requires) and they can then oppose him and keep him from office.
	2	Two officers, while believing him worthy of the office, fear Coriolanus' pride will lead to his rejection as consul.  He is nominated, but seeks to be excused from exposing himself to the masses.  The tribunes refuse to accept this and the aristocrats persuade him to show himself.  They go to the forum for the ceremony.
Act	Scene
II	3	A group of citizens decide to support Coriolanus if he shows them his wounds and when he appears he asks them for their vote.  The citizens agree and Menenius and the tribunes confirm his election.  But when the tribunes are left alone with the citizens they convince them to rescind the approval before the formal installation.
III	1	Lartius tells Coriolanus that Aufidius wants to fight and vanquish him.  The tribunes report that a mob has risen against Coriolanus and, despite the aristocrats trying to calm him, he declares the commoners are unworthy of a voice in the selection of a consul.  The tribunes declare him a traitor to the laws of Rome and summon the mob, who follow Sicinius' lead and demand that he be killed.  Coriolanus draws his sword, but allows the aristocrats to guard him and take him away.  The tribunes continue to raise the mob's fury, but Menenius finally convinces them to follow legal procedures and try Coriolanus for treason in the tribunes' court.
	2	Volumnia  tries, with the help of Menenius and the aristocracy, to convince Coriolanus that for the good of Rome he must swallow his pride and apologise to the commoners.  Cominius comes from the marketplace where there is much anger, and states that Coriolanus' only hope is to remain calm and discuss mildly; this he agrees to do.
	3	Brutus and Sicinius instruct an aedile to prepare the crowd to support whatever line they take in the trial of Coriolanus, whom they plan to provoke to anger.  Coriolanus appears and at first mildly makes the recantation demanded by the tribunes.  However, when Sicinius calls him a traitor he responds wrathfully, despite Menenius trying to calm him, rejecting the authority of the common people in insulting terms.  The tribunes convict him of treasonous hostility to the people's justice and declare him banished from Rome and the mob take up the cry.  Coriolanus replies angrily that he is glad to leave a city controlled by such ignorant commoners.  He departs and the tribunes encourage the citizens to follow him out of the city.
IV	1	Coriolanus says farewell to his family, asking his mother “Where is your ancient courage?” and to please dry her tears.  Cominius says he will follow in a month and Menenius says that if he were younger he would come with him.
	2	The tribunes, having done what they wanted, decide to keep a low profile, but are met by a raging Volumnia who, with Virilia berates them.  Menenius does his best to keep the peace but the ladies depart, still angry.
	3	A friendly meeting between a Roman and a Volsce in which we learn of much tumult in Rome between the nobles and the people; the tribunes, in particular.  The Volsce learns of Coriolanus' banishment and concludes that now seems a good time to attack Rome.
	4	Coriolanus, disguised as a poor man, arrives in Actium and is directed to the house of Aufidius.
	5	In Aufidius' house servants are preparing a feast when Coriolanus arrives and is made to feel unwanted, and when Aufidius comes he does not recognise him.  Coriolanus tells Aufidius of his banishment and offers to fight for the Volsces.  Aufidius agrees enthusiastically.  The servants wonder why such a poor wanderer has been accepted but when they learn the truth they rejoice at the prospects for a successful war.
	6	The tribunes refuse to believe that the Volsces, led by Coriolanus are attacking Roman territory, but nobody has heard from him.  Messengers arrive to summon them to the Senate.  Cominius arrives and blames everyone for the banishment.  Menenius upbraids the tribunes, but agrees the nobles were cowardly.  The citizens say they had misgivings about the banishment all along.  The tribunes are worried and hope that the news is untrue.
Act	Scene
IV	7	A Volsce lieutenant worries that Aufidius will be overshadowed by Coriolanus' popularity among their soldiers.  Aufidius confides that he intends, eventually, to turn against the Roman.
V	1	Cominius reports that Coriolanus will not see him to discuss the Volsce battle for Rome.  The tribunes convince Menenius to attempt to beg mercy for the city, but Cominius makes it clear that Menenius will fail and the only hope is Volumnia and Virgilia.
	2	The Volsce guards tell Menenius that Coriolanus has told them to refuse entry to any Roman, and when he says that he is an old friend and will be accepted they mock him.  Coriolanus arrives and rejects Menenius, but gives him a letter.  Menenius then lets the guards hear his views.
	3	Coriolanus and Aufidius are going to arrack Rome on the morrow and discuss how Coriolanus has remained faithful to the Volsce despite the efforts of the good old man who loved him as a father.  Volumnia, accompanied by Virgilia, Valaria and young Martius, appears and Coriolanus becomes increasingly upset as he listens, but rejects their petitions for mercy.  Finally a long speech by Volumnia convinces him to make peace with Rome.  Aufidius, in an aside, observes he is now able to get revenge on Coriolanus.
	4	Menenius, in despair for the city, describes Coriolanus' mood and blames it on Sicinius, who seems to hold out some hope that Volumnia will succeed.  A messenger arrives to say that Junius Brutus has been held by the citizens and, if the news is not good, they will kill him and then come after Sicinius.  Then another messenger comes to say that Coriolanus and the Volsces are gone so Rome is safe.
	5	Senators, patricians and citizens greet the ladies at the gates of Rome.
	6	The conspirators agree to support Aufidius' charge of treason against Coriolanus and to then help kill him.  Coriolanus with many happy Volsces arrives and presents his treaty with Rome as a conquest, but Aufidius accuses him of treachery and being under the sway of his mother.  The crowd turns against him and, despite the lords trying to keep the peace, the conspirators kill him.  Aufidius defends the act as patriotism, but observes that Coriolanus was a great warrior snd should have a noble funeral.