# Cominius — Coriolanus character guide

> Cominius in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_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_

Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.

### [Junius Brutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/junius_brutus)

_rivalry_

Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_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_

Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.

### [Sicinius Velutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/sicinius_velutus)

_rivalry_

Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.

### [Junius Brutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/junius_brutus)

_rivalry_

Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.

### [Junius Brutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/junius_brutus)

_rivalry_

Cominius and Junius Brutus are political opponents, with Cominius defending the patrician order against the tribunes.

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_friendship_

Cominius is a loyal general and friend to Coriolanus, fighting alongside him and later pleading for mercy on his behalf.

## In the story

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi)

Commands the Roman forces, receives news from the messenger, and grants Marcius's request to lead an attack.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vii)

Mentioned as the commander Lartius is marching to join.

### [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ix)

Leads the celebration, offers Marcius a tenth of the spoils, and bestows the name Coriolanus upon him.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Delivers a lengthy speech praising Coriolanus's valor and military achievements, including his deeds at Corioli.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Defends Coriolanus and urges him to withdraw to avoid further conflict.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Reports the anger in the marketplace and advises Coriolanus to make a strong party or defend himself with calmness.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Attempts to speak in Coriolanus's defense, citing his own service to Rome.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Offers to follow Coriolanus for a month to help plan his course and keep communication open for a possible recall.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Reports his failed attempt to reason with Coriolanus and suggests seeking help from Volumnia and Virgilia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/cominius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters