# Virgilia — Coriolanus character guide

> Virgilia in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Virgilia Heavens

**First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus

## Snapshot

Coriolanus's quiet wife, who will not cross her threshold until he returns from war and whose silence speaks louder than Rome's applause.

## Who they are

Virgilia waits at home while her husband wins glory, refusing Valeria's invitations and vowing not to step outside until he comes back from the wars. Where Volumnia glories in blood and honor, Virgilia weeps at his triumph and dreads his danger, a contrast Coriolanus himself notes when he calls her his 'gracious silence.' Her restraint and grief humanize a household otherwise consumed by martial pride, and her presence in the play's domestic scenes sets up the emotional weight she will carry when Rome needs her to plead for it.

## Relationships

### [Valeria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/valeria)

_friendship_

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

### [Valeria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/valeria)

_friendship_

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

## In the story

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

Virgilia worries for her husband's safety and refuses to leave the house until he returns, showing her domestic and anxious nature.

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

Coriolanus's wife, who weeps at his triumph and is affectionately greeted by him.

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

Expresses her grief with cries of 'O heavens!' as her husband departs.

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

Supports Volumnia in the confrontation, expressing her own grief and anger over her husband's exile.

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

Appears with Volumnia, silently supporting the plea and reminding Coriolanus of his family.

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

Present among the honored ladies, part of the group celebrated for saving Rome.

## Links

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