Coriolanus · Chapter
Scene I explained
Coriolanus bids farewell to his family and friends before leaving Rome, urging them to show courage and not weep.
What happens
Coriolanus bids farewell to his family and friends before leaving Rome, urging them to show courage and not weep. Volumnia and Menenius express their sorrow, while Cominius offers to accompany him for a time. Coriolanus insists on going alone, likening himself to a lonely dragon, and promises to remain true to his nature.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Climax.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Coriolanus’s banish…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Pride and Arrogance
Coriolanus's refusal to show vulnerability and his self-comparison to a 'lonely dragon' underscore his pride and alienation.
- Motherhood and Influence
Volumnia's attempt to guide Coriolanus's actions and her recollection of past precepts highlight her powerful role in shaping his character.
- Exile and Identity
Coriolanus's departure from Rome marks the beginning of his physical and psychological exile, questioning his place in the world.
Characters to notice
- Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Bids farewell to his family and friends, displaying stoic resolve and a sense of isolation.
- Volumnia
Urges Coriolanus to take Cominius with him and recalls her own fierce spirit, though she is visibly distressed.
- Virgilia
Expresses her grief with cries of 'O heavens!' as her husband departs.
- Menenius Agrippa
Weeps openly but tries to maintain composure, offering to join Coriolanus if he were younger.
- Cominius
Offers to follow Coriolanus for a month to help plan his course and keep communication open for a possible recall.
Key passages
“the beast With many heads butts me away.”
The many-headed mob drives me out.
Coriolanus disparages the Roman populace as a monstrous, mindless force.
“Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen Makes fear’d and talk’d of more than seen”
Like a solitary dragon, whose swamp makes it more feared and spoken of than actually seen.
Coriolanus portrays himself as a fearsome but isolated figure, whose reputation precedes him.
“My hazards still have been your solace”
My dangers have always been a comfort to you.
Coriolanus reminds Volumnia that she takes pride in his perilous exploits.
