Coriolanus · Character

Cominius

Rome's consul and general, he fights beside Coriolanus and later pleads with the man he once called friend, only to be refused.

supporting

Also known as Cominius Noble Marcius, Cominius Ay, Worthy Cominius

First appearance: coriolanus

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Cominius commands Rome's armies and shares the field with Coriolanus, whose battlefield glory he publicly proclaims by bestowing the name 'Coriolanus' before the assembled city. He prizes old comradeship and the blood he and Marcius have shed together, which makes his later embassy to the exiled warrior especially painful: he urges their shared history and is answered with cold silence. His failed appeal measures how far Coriolanus has turned from Rome, and his report of it hardens the tribunes' and Menenius's sense that only something more intimate can move him.

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Character Web

11 connections

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Relationship types

Friendship
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Roman political and military figures
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Coriolanus’s banish…

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Relationships

Caius Marcius Coriolanus
friendship · positive
Sicinius Velutus
rivalry · negative
Junius Brutus
rivalry · negative
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
friendship · positive
Sicinius Velutus
rivalry · negative
Sicinius Velutus
rivalry · negative
Junius Brutus
rivalry · negative
Junius Brutus
rivalry · negative
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
friendship · positive

Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf.
Sicinius Velutus
Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.
Junius Brutus
Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf.
Sicinius Velutus
Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.
Sicinius Velutus
Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.
Junius Brutus
Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.
Junius Brutus
Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Cominius appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene VI
Commands the Roman forces, receives news from the messenger, and grants Marcius's request to lead an attack.
Scene VII
Mentioned as the commander Lartius is marching to join.
Scene IX
Leads the celebration, offers Marcius a tenth of the spoils, and bestows the name Coriolanus upon him.
Scene II
Delivers a lengthy speech praising Coriolanus's valor and military achievements, including his deeds at Corioli.
Scene I
Defends Coriolanus and urges him to withdraw to avoid further conflict.
Scene II
Reports the anger in the marketplace and advises Coriolanus to make a strong party or defend himself with calmness.
Scene III
Attempts to speak in Coriolanus's defense, citing his own service to Rome.
Scene I
Offers to follow Coriolanus for a month to help plan his course and keep communication open for a possible recall.
Scene VI
Cominius brings dire news of Coriolanus leading the Volscian army, condemns the tribunes and citizens, and describes the hopelessness of Rome's situation.
Scene I
Reports his failed attempt to reason with Coriolanus and suggests seeking help from Volumnia and Virgilia.

Chapter companion notes

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