# Volumnia — Coriolanus character guide

> Volumnia in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Volumnia Titus Lartius

**First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus

## Snapshot

Coriolanus's mother, who forged his soldier's pride and now expects Rome to reward it with a consulship.

## Who they are

Volumnia raised her son on stories of blood and honour, and she measures his worth by the wounds he carries home. She pushes him toward the consulship, dismisses his reluctance as squeamishness, and treats his victories as the fulfilment of her own designs. Her love is real and her ambition is fiercer than his, which makes her the play's most unsettling force: the woman who made Coriolanus, and the only one who might be able to unmake him.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Volumnia is Coriolanus's formidable mother, whose influence and ambition shape his pride and drive his actions.

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

_family_

Volumnia is Coriolanus's formidable mother, whose influence and ambition shape his pride and drive his actions.

## In the story

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

Volumnia celebrates her son's warrior spirit, expressing pride in sending him to war and valuing honor over life.

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

Proudly announces her son's return and his wounds, which she sees as marks of honor; eager for his political advancement.

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

Uses her influence to persuade Coriolanus to dissemble and speak mildly, arguing that honor and policy can coexist in peace as in war.

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

Urges Coriolanus to take Cominius with him and recalls her own fierce spirit, though she is visibly distressed.

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

Rages against the tribunes, defending Coriolanus and lamenting his banishment with fierce maternal anger.

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

Leads the delegation to Coriolanus, using emotional and rhetorical force to persuade him to spare Rome.

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

Mentioned as Coriolanus's mother, who may have prevailed upon him; celebrated as worth of consuls, senators, and patricians.

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

Hailed as the patroness and life of Rome, her influence leads to calls for Coriolanus's repeal.

## Links

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