Notes

This scene begins with an assurance that Coriolanus will surely become consul and ends with a strong premonition of his downfall. Although the commoners see Coriolanus as a great advocate of Rome, fighting with a fury that can only reveal his loyalty to the republic, they resent the disdainful way that he treats them. In truth, Coriolanus is not so much loyal to Rome as he is single- minded in becoming the ultimate warrior, as Volumnia has taught him.

CoriolanusÂ’ encounter with the common citizens reveals his pride and inflexibility, as well as his inability to be humble before them. It is clear that Coriolanus thinks that he is being hypocritical to solicit the commonersÂ’ votes and feels it is more painful than the wounds he has received. In spite of the disdainful manner in which he answers their questions, the citizens vote for him because he has been a brave soldier, faithfully serving Rome. The uneasy alliance between Coriolanus and the commoners is domed to fail, for both parties are merely going through formalities rather than being genuinely supportive of one another.

As expected, Brutus and Sicinius take full advantage of the doubts assailing the citizens of their decision to support Coriolanus. Not only do they remind the citizens of CoriolanusÂ’ hatred for them, they suggest that his consulship presents a horrendous danger to the liberties of the common people. The tribunes cleverly and deceitfully blame themselves for misleading the citizens to vote for Coriolanus. This subterfuge will result in their being cast from blame for CoriolanusÂ’ downfall.

The scene closes with the people wanting to revoke their vote and marching off to the Senate. Sicinius justifies his actions by saying that the people themselves have determined to rebel, and the tribunes have only goaded them on.

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