Coriolanus · Character

Sicinius Velutus

A tribune of the people who reads Coriolanus's pride as a weapon and waits patiently for him to hand it over.

supporting

Also known as Sicinius, Sicinius Menenius, Sicinius Velutus, Sicinius Sir

First appearance: coriolanus

As a supporting figure in Coriolanus, Sicinius Velutus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Tribune who accuses Marcius of pride and conspires with Brutus to turn the people against him.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See Sicinius Velutus in Scene I Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Sicinius is one half of the tribunician pair that guards the plebeians' hard-won voice against patrician contempt. He watches Coriolanus's triumphal return not with awe but with calculation, noting that a man who cannot 'temperately transport his honours' will lose them soon enough. His patience is his weapon: he lets Coriolanus's own tongue do the work of turning the people against him, then steps in to bar the way to the Capitol.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Sicinius Velutus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Sicinius Velutus in coriolanus

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Sicinius Velutus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional
Social

Character groups

Roman political and military figures
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Caius Marcius Coriolanus
rivalry · negative
Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes'… How this plays out →
Junius Brutus
professional · negative
Cominius
rivalry · negative
Menenius Agrippa
rivalry · negative
Second Citizen
social · ambivalent
Tullus Aufidius
rivalry · negative
First Citizen
social · ambivalent
Messenger
professional · ambivalent
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
rivalry · negative
Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes'… How this plays out →
Junius Brutus
professional · negative
Cominius
rivalry · negative
First Citizen
social · ambivalent

Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes' campaign to banish Coriolanus from Rome.
Junius Brutus
Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus are fellow tribunes who work closely together to undermine Coriolanus and manipulate the plebeians.
Cominius
Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.
Menenius Agrippa
Menenius, a patrician and friend to Coriolanus, frequently clashes with the tribune Sicinius over political matters.
Second Citizen
The Second Citizen is a plebeian who interacts with Sicinius as part of the Roman mob, often swayed by the tribune's rhetoric.
Tullus Aufidius
Sicinius and Aufidius are on opposite sides of the Roman-Volscian conflict, though they share a common enemy in Coriolanus.
First Citizen
The First Citizen is a plebeian who follows Sicinius's lead in opposing Coriolanus, representing the voice of the common people.
Messenger
The Messenger delivers news and reports to Sicinius, serving as a conduit for information in the political turmoil.
Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Coriolanus and Sicinius are bitter political enemies, with Sicinius leading the tribunes' campaign to banish Coriolanus from Rome.
Junius Brutus
Junius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus are fellow tribunes who work closely together to undermine Coriolanus and manipulate the plebeians.
Cominius
Cominius opposes Sicinius politically, defending Coriolanus against the tribunes' accusations.
First Citizen
The First Citizen is a plebeian who follows Sicinius's lead in opposing Coriolanus, representing the voice of the common people.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sicinius Velutus in coriolanus

In the story

Sicinius Velutus appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Tribune who accuses Marcius of pride and conspires with Brutus to turn the people against him.
Scene II
Observes Coriolanus's disdain for the people and notes his intent to require their votes as if he contemns them.
Scene III
As a tribune, he orchestrates the citizens' reversal and plots to use Coriolanus's anger against him.
Scene I
Aggressively leads the tribunes in accusing Coriolanus of treason and demands his execution.
Scene III
Leads the charge against Coriolanus, orchestrating the banishment with Brutus.
Scene II
Confronted by Volumnia after Coriolanus's banishment; she curses him for his role in the exile.
Scene VI
Sicinius initially boasts of the peace after Coriolanus's banishment, but later shows fear upon hearing of the Volscian invasion led by Coriolanus.
Scene I
Urges Menenius to plead with Coriolanus for Rome's sake.
Scene IV
Engages with Menenius about Coriolanus's transformation and receives the news of the ladies' success.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sicinius Velutus unlock in the free preview.

See Sicinius Velutus in coriolanus

See Sicinius Velutus in Scene I