# Valeria — Coriolanus character guide

> Valeria in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Lady Valeria, Valeria Fie

**First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus

## Snapshot

A noble Roman lady who teases Virgilia out of her seclusion and brings news of the war, light where the household is solemn.

## Who they are

Valeria moves easily between Rome's great houses, visiting Volumnia and Virgilia with gossip, warmth, and an eye for the family's boy, whose violent play with a butterfly she recounts with delight. She presses Virgilia to leave her sewing and join the world, and it is she who carries the first word that Coriolanus is besieging Corioli. Her sociable energy throws the women's anxious seclusion into relief, and her later appearance among the petitioners ties her to the play's central question of who can soften Coriolanus's iron will.

## Relationships

### [Virgilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/virgilia)

_friendship_

Valeria and Virgilia are close friends and noblewomen who share concern for Coriolanus's welfare and honor.

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

_friendship_

Valeria is a respected friend of Coriolanus's family, and he treats her with courtesy and respect.

### [Virgilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/virgilia)

_friendship_

Valeria and Virgilia are close friends and noblewomen who share concern for Coriolanus's welfare and honor.

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

_friendship_

Valeria is a respected friend of Coriolanus's family, and he treats her with courtesy and respect.

## In the story

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

Valeria visits and brings news of the war, attempting to persuade Virgilia to join her, and describes Marcius's son tearing a butterfly.

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

Accompanies the family as a noble witness to the confrontation.

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

Included in the welcome as one of the ladies credited with Rome's deliverance.

## Links

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