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| Character | Caius Martius | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Caius Martius identifies himself | |
| Location | ACT IV, Scene 5 | |
Summary
The play is set in the city of Rome and is based on the legendary Roman general Gaius Martius Coriolanus. In the first scene of the play Caius Martius and several Roman rulers have to deal with a riot of the common people that are protesting because of a shortage of grain. A war soon breaks out between Rome and a neighboring tribe, the Volscians, led by Tullus Aufidius. After a hard battle, Gaius Martius manages to conquer the Volscian's city or Corioles and, having fought with valor, is given the nickname "Coriolanus" because of that.
When he returns to Rome, the Senate decides to make him consul and they ask him to get the approval of the plebeians by narrating his war stories to the public. The common people accept to vote for him at first, but after two tribunes who oppose Coriolanus, Brutus and Sicinius, rally against him in public, they decide not to vote for him. This enrages Coriolanus who speaks out against the common people. He is banished from Rome and decides to join the Volscians and Tullus Aufidius agains the Romans.
In scene 5 of ACT IV, Coriolanus goes to Tullus Aufidius' house and demands to talk to him. He doesn't recognize him as he is dressed as a commoner. He introduces himself, tells him that he has been banished and will now help him to defeat Rome.
When he returns to Rome, the Senate decides to make him consul and they ask him to get the approval of the plebeians by narrating his war stories to the public. The common people accept to vote for him at first, but after two tribunes who oppose Coriolanus, Brutus and Sicinius, rally against him in public, they decide not to vote for him. This enrages Coriolanus who speaks out against the common people. He is banished from Rome and decides to join the Volscians and Tullus Aufidius agains the Romans.
In scene 5 of ACT IV, Coriolanus goes to Tullus Aufidius' house and demands to talk to him. He doesn't recognize him as he is dressed as a commoner. He introduces himself, tells him that he has been banished and will now help him to defeat Rome.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done To thee particularly and to all the Volsces Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service, The extreme dangers and the drops of blood Shed for my thankless country are requited But with that surname; a good memory, And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains; The cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be Whoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-- Mistake me not--to save my life, for if I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world I would have 'voided thee, but in mere spite, To be full quit of those my banishers, Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight, And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it That my revengeful services may prove As benefits to thee, for I will fight Against my canker'd country with the spleen Of all the under fiends. But if so be Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes Thou'rt tired, then, in a word, I also am Longer to live most weary, and present My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice; Which not to cut would show thee but a fool, Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate, Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, And cannot live but to thy shame, unless It be to do thee service. |
