Pride and Arrogance
Coriolanus's excessive pride and disdain for the common people drive the central conflict, as his refusal to flatter or humble himself leads to his political downfall and exile.
Where it surfaces
Scene I
Caius Marcius is accused by the First Citizen of being proud to the 'altitude of his virtue,' and his contemptuous treatment of the citizens exemplifies his arrogance.
Scene IV: Before Corioli
Marcius's contemptuous cursing of his own soldiers as 'shames of Rome' and 'souls of geese' demonstrates his pride and disdain for perceived cowardice.
Scene VI
Marcius's disdain for the common soldiers ('The mouse ne’er shunn’d the cat as they did budge') and his self-aggrandizing call to 'follow Marcius' reflect his pride.
Scene VIII
Marcius boasts of his earlier feats in Corioli and scorns the Volsces for their unworthy aid, reflecting his pride.
Scene IX
Marcius's modesty in rejecting accolades paradoxically underscores his pride in his own standards of virtue and disdain for flattery.
Scene X
Aufidius's wounded pride drives him to forsake honorable combat for any means of revenge against Marcius.
Class Conflict
The play vividly depicts the struggle between the patricians and plebeians, with the citizens' hunger and resentment against the aristocracy fueling political manipulation and rebellion.
Where it surfaces
Scene I
The scene opens with armed citizens protesting against patrician hoarding of grain, highlighting the deep economic and social divide between the plebeians and the ruling class.
Scene II
The officers' discussion and Coriolanus's attitude reveal the tension between the patrician elite and the common citizens.
Scene III
The tension between Coriolanus, a patrician, and the plebeian citizens is evident in his contempt and their eventual rebellion.
Scene I
The tribunes and citizens accuse Coriolanus of wanting to strip them of their liberties, highlighting the deep divide between patricians and plebeians.
Scene VI
The tribunes and citizens are blamed by Menenius and Cominius for the crisis, highlighting the ongoing tension between the patricians and the plebeians.
Honor and Valor
Coriolanus's identity is built on military honor and martial prowess, yet his rigid adherence to this code clashes with the political necessity of compromise and diplomacy.
Where it surfaces
Scene II
Aufidius's personal oath to fight Caius Marcius to the death underscores the theme of personal honor and martial valor.
Scene III
Volumnia glorifies Marcius's battlefield exploits, contrasting martial honor with domestic comfort and Virgilia's fears.
Scene IV: Before Corioli
Marcius's reckless charge into the city gates and Titus Lartius's praise of his 'noble' and 'jewel'-like courage highlight the theme of martial honor.
Scene V
Marcius prioritizes combat over spoils, embodying the Roman ideal of martial honor and disdain for material greed.
Scene VI
Marcius's insistence on immediate combat and his rallying cry for those who value 'brave death outweighs bad life' highlight the theme of honor and valor.
Scene VII
Lartius's careful planning and determination to support his fellow commanders exemplify the Roman martial honor and duty.
Motherhood and Influence
Volumnia's powerful influence over Coriolanus shapes his character and actions, as she instills in him a relentless pursuit of honor and ultimately persuades him to spare Rome.
Where it surfaces
Scene III
Volumnia's dialogue reveals her role in shaping Marcius's martial values, prioritizing honor and glory over his personal safety.
Scene II
Volumnia's persuasive power over Coriolanus is central, as she uses her maternal authority to bend his will toward political expediency.
Scene I
Volumnia's attempt to guide Coriolanus's actions and her recollection of past precepts highlight her powerful role in shaping his character.
Scene II
Volumnia's fierce defense of her son and her cursing of the tribunes demonstrate the powerful, albeit indirect, influence of a mother in Roman political life.
Scene III
Volumnia's emotional appeal and kneeling demonstrate the profound influence of a mother over her son, swaying his martial resolve.
Scene IV
Volumnia's potential to sway Coriolanus is discussed, highlighting the power of maternal influence over a warrior's wrath.
Political Manipulation
The tribunes Brutus and Sicinius skillfully manipulate public opinion and exploit Coriolanus's flaws to undermine his authority, demonstrating the power of rhetoric and populism.
Where it surfaces
Scene I
Menenius uses the fable of the belly to manipulate the citizens into accepting the patricians' authority, framing their rebellion as foolish and ungrateful.
Scene II
Aufidius and the senators strategize based on intercepted intelligence, highlighting the manipulative and secretive nature of political and military planning.
Scene I
Brutus and Sicinius plot to exploit the people's hatred of Marcius to destroy his political career, demonstrating the manipulative tactics of tribunes.
Scene III
Brutus and Sicinius manipulate the citizens into revoking their support, using Coriolanus's own behavior against him.
Scene I
Brutus and Sicinius manipulate the crowd's anger to consolidate their own power and destroy Coriolanus.
Scene II
The scene depicts the art of political maneuvering, where Volumnia and Menenius coach Coriolanus to use flattery and dissemblance to achieve his goals.
Exile and Identity
Coriolanus's banishment from Rome forces him to redefine himself, leading him to ally with his former enemy Aufidius and ultimately confront the tension between personal loyalty and national identity.
Where it surfaces
Scene III
Coriolanus's banishment forces him to redefine himself outside Rome, declaring 'There is a world elsewhere.'
Scene I
Coriolanus's departure from Rome marks the beginning of his physical and psychological exile, questioning his place in the world.
Scene III
Coriolanus's banishment is central to the conversation, as his absence shifts the balance of power and alters the political landscape of Rome.
Scene IV
Coriolanus, now an exile, disguises himself and rejects his Roman identity, declaring his love for the enemy town of Antium.
Scene V
Coriolanus, stripped of his Roman identity, redefines himself through his alliance with Aufidius and his vow for revenge.
Scene VI
Coriolanus's banishment leads to his alliance with Rome's enemies, transforming him from a Roman hero into a vengeful leader against his former city.
The Body Politic
Menenius's fable of the belly and the members illustrates the theme of social interdependence, arguing that all parts of the state must work together for the common good.
