# Caius Marcius Coriolanus — Coriolanus character guide > Caius Marcius Coriolanus in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Marcius, Coriolanus, Caius Marcius, noble Marcius, renowned Coriolanus **First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus ## Snapshot Rome's most lethal soldier, who wins the name Coriolanus at Corioli and recoils from the very crowds that crown him. ## Who they are A patrician general whose battlefield fury earns him the surname Coriolanus, he returns from Corioli to find Rome's citizens and tribunes already measuring his pride. He cannot flatter, cannot wear humility like a costume, and tells his mother he would rather serve the patricians his way than rule with the people's voice. That refusal — to perform the deference a consul must show — sets the whole tragedy in motion, turning his own city into the enemy he cannot bring himself to fight. ## Relationships ### [Sicinius Velutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/sicinius_velutus) _rivalry_ Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes' campaign to banish Coriolanus from Rome. ### [Cominius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/cominius) _friendship_ Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf. ### [Junius Brutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/junius_brutus) _rivalry_ Coriolanus despises Junius Brutus as a manipulative tribune who stirs up the common people against him. ### [Volumnia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/volumnia) _family_ Volumnia is Coriolanus's formidable mother, whose influence and ambition shape his pride and drive his actions. ### [Tullus Aufidius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/tullus_aufidius) _rivalry_ Coriolanus and Aufidius are sworn enemies on the battlefield, but later form a tense alliance that ends in betrayal. ### [Menenius Agrippa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/menenius_agrippa) _friendship_ Menenius is a loyal friend and advisor to Coriolanus, though their bond is strained by Coriolanus's stubborn pride. ### [First Citizen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/first_citizen) _rivalry_ Coriolanus holds the First Citizen and the plebeians in contempt, viewing them as fickle and unworthy of power. ### [Second Citizen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/second_citizen) _rivalry_ Coriolanus openly scorns the Second Citizen and the plebeian class, refusing to court their favor. ### [Valeria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/valeria) _friendship_ Valeria is a respected friend of Coriolanus's family, and he treats her with courtesy and respect. ### [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/messenger) _professional_ Coriolanus interacts with the Messenger as a bearer of news, often regarding military or political developments. ### [Cominius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/cominius) _friendship_ Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf. ### [Sicinius Velutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/sicinius_velutus) _rivalry_ Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes' campaign to banish Coriolanus from Rome. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Arrives and harshly rebukes the citizens, calling them 'dissentious rogues' and 'curs,' displaying his contempt for the common people and their grievances. ### [Scene IV: Before Corioli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv) Leads the assault on Corioli, curses his retreating soldiers, and single-handedly enters the city gates. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v) Scolds the Roman soldiers for looting and insists on rejoining the fight against Aufidius despite his wounds. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi) Arrives bloodied from battle at Corioli, eager to fight Aufidius, and rallies the soldiers to follow him. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vii) Mentioned as the destination of Lartius's march, though not present on stage. ### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-viii) Engages Aufidius in single combat, expressing deep hatred and proving his valor. ### [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ix) Refuses spoils and praise, accepts the name Coriolanus, and requests freedom for his former host. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i) Returns to Rome as a celebrated war hero, crowned with an oaken garland; modestly dismisses his achievements. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii) Shows reluctance to participate in the customary appeal to the people for their votes, preferring to avoid the ceremony. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii) Solicits votes for consul with visible scorn, mocking the citizens and revealing his disdain for the common people. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i) Defiant and unyielding, he refuses to flatter the people and openly despises the tribunes, leading to his near-arrest. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii) Defiant and proud, he struggles against the necessity of flattering the plebeians, ultimately yielding to his mother's counsel. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii) Defiantly refuses to appease the tribunes and is banished; curses the citizens and leaves Rome. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i) Bids farewell to his family and friends, displaying stoic resolve and a sense of isolation. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii) Mentioned as the banished Roman hero whose absence weakens Rome and emboldens the Volscians. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv) Disguised and in mean apparel, he seeks out Aufidius in Antium, reflecting on the instability of alliances and declaring his love for the enemy town. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v) Arrives at Aufidius's house in disguise, reveals his identity, and offers to ally with the Volscians against Rome. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi) Coriolanus is reported to have joined Aufidius and is leading a Volscian army against Rome, seeking revenge for his banishment. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii) Though not present, Coriolanus is the subject of discussion; his pride, martial prowess, and the reasons for his banishment from Rome are analyzed by Aufidius. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Referenced as having rejected Cominius's plea and now sitting in gold, resolute against Rome. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii) Coriolanus denies knowing his family and friends, stating his affairs are 'servanted to others' and refuses to hear Menenius. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii) Struggles between his vow of vengeance and his familial bonds, ultimately yielding to his mother's plea. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv) Referenced as having become a dragon-like figure, devoid of mercy, and now gone after the ladies prevailed. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi) Returns to Antium as a victorious soldier but is accused of treason by Aufidius and killed by conspirators. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters