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    Coriolanus

    tragedy

    Coriolanus, one of Shakespeare's political tragedies, is set in the early Roman republic. Caius Martius is a brilliant soldier who wins glory in battle but openly despises ordinary people, and his contempt gets him driven out of the city he fought for. Furious, he joins Rome's enemies and marches back to destroy it. Only his mother, Volumnia, can stop him, talking him out of the attack in a way that saves Rome but seals his own fate.

    ▸SCENE I. Rome. A street.▸SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate-house.▸SCENE III. Rome. A room in Marcius' house.▸SCENE IV. Before Corioli.▸SCENE V. Corioli. A street.▸SCENE VI. Near the camp of Cominius.▸SCENE VII. The gates of Corioli.▸SCENE VIII. A field of battle.▸SCENE IX. The Roman camp.▸SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces.

    ▸SCENE I. Rome. A public place.▸SCENE II. The same. The Capitol.▸SCENE III. The same. The Forum.

    ▸SCENE I. Rome. A street.▸SCENE II. A room in CORIOLANUS'S house.▸SCENE III. The same. The Forum.

    ▸SCENE I. Rome. Before a gate of the city.▸SCENE II. The same. A street near the gate.▸SCENE III. A highway between Rome and Antium.▸SCENE IV. Antium. Before Aufidius's house.▸SCENE V. The same. A hall in Aufidius's house.▸SCENE VI. Rome. A public place.▸SCENE VII. A camp, at a small distance from Rome.

    ▸SCENE I. Rome. A public place.▸SCENE II. Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome.▸SCENE III. The tent of Coriolanus.▸SCENE IV. Rome. A public place.▸SCENE V. The same. A street near the gate.▸SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.

    Characters

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    CoriolanusRoman general, proud and inflexibleVolumniaCoriolanus's motherMenenius AgrippaOld Roman patrician, Coriolanus's friendTullus AufidiusVolscian general, Coriolanus's rival

    Famous Quotes

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    “There is a world elsewhere.”

    Coriolanus — Act 3, Scene 3

    “I banish you; And here remain with your uncertainty!”

    Coriolanus — Act 3, Scene 3

    “You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate As reek o' the rotten fens.”

    Coriolanus — Act 3, Scene 3

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

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