# First Citizen — Coriolanus character guide

> First Citizen in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** First Citizen We have ever your good word

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Who they are

Leader of the plebeian revolt who argues against Coriolanus's pride.

## Relationships

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

_social_

The First Citizen is a plebeian who follows Sicinius's lead in opposing Coriolanus, representing the voice of the common people.

### [Second Citizen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/second_citizen)

_social_

The First and Second Citizens are fellow plebeians who discuss and debate political grievances together.

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

_rivalry_

Coriolanus holds the First Citizen and the plebeians in contempt, viewing them as fickle and unworthy of power.

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

_rivalry_

Coriolanus holds the First Citizen and the plebeians in contempt, viewing them as fickle and unworthy of power.

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

_social_

The First Citizen is a plebeian who follows Sicinius's lead in opposing Coriolanus, representing the voice of the common people.

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

_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)

_social_

The First and Second Citizens are fellow plebeians who discuss and debate political grievances together.

### [Second Citizen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/second_citizen)

_social_

The First and Second Citizens are fellow plebeians who discuss and debate political grievances together.

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

_social_

The First Citizen is a plebeian who follows Sicinius's lead in opposing Coriolanus, representing the voice of the common people.

## In the story

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

Leads the mutinous citizens, accusing Caius Marcius of being the chief enemy to the people and advocating for his death to secure corn at a fair price.

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

Appears as a Roman soldier who refuses to follow Marcius into the gates, calling it 'fool-hardiness.'

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

Initially supports Coriolanus but later joins the dissent after being swayed by the tribunes.

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

A citizen of Antium who directs Coriolanus to Aufidius's house.

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

The First Citizen expresses regret for having supported Coriolanus's banishment, reflecting the citizens' changing sentiment.

## Links

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