Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Shakespeare’s tragedy, Coriolanus, starts in Rome, where rioting is taking place over grain stock that has been withheld from the ordinary citizens, leaving them starved. Two Roman leaders, Caius Martius and Menenius Agrippa, are divided over the issue -- Martius condemns the rebellion, while Agrippa encourages placating the masses. When their enemies, the Volscians, invade Rome, Cominius -- commander of the Roman army -- leads the defensive action, while Martius goes to the Volscian city of Coriolis and defeats Aufidius and that part of the Volscian army there. When Martius returns to Rome, Cominius dubs him with the honorable title of “Coriolanus” for his bravery in battle. Upon receiving such a name, Coriolanus’ mother, Volumnia, encourages him to run for Senate. Reluctant at first, Coriolanus ultimately eschews his reservations, runs for office, and -- riding on his reputation as an accomplished warrior -- wins the support of the Senate and commoners alike. Jealous, Brutus and Sicinius, two Roman tribunes who oppose Coriolanus’ harsh ways, organize another riot, and sweep the public opinion along with them. Coriolanus rages against the rowdy public for their lack of loyalty, and is soon denounced for his ruthlessness and banished. In retaliation, Coriolanus joins forces with Rome’s enemy, Aufidius. Cominius and Menenius attempt to persuade Coriolanus to stop his campaign against his own people, but it is not until his family meets with him that he finally stops the attack, offering a peace treaty between the two groups. When Aufidius finds out Coriolanus has now betrayed the Volscians, he orders him to be killed. A gripping play about politics, war, and compassion, Coriolanus is based on the life of the real historical figure, Caius Martius Coriolanus of Rome.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1682
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
rome, italy
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
community theatre, regional theatre, university, off-broadway, broadway, College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Volumnia

Lead

Female

Spoken

Tullus Aufidius

Lead

Male

Spoken

Junius Brutus

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sicinius Velutus

Lead

Male

Spoken

Menenius

Lead

Male

Spoken

Cominus

Lead

Male

Spoken

Caius Martius, later Coriolanus

Lead

Male

Spoken

Virgilia

Supporting

Female

Spoken

First Roman Citizen

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Second Roman Citizen

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Third Roman Citizen

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Aediles

Featured

Male

Spoken

Lieutenant to Aufidius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Nicanor

Featured

Male

Spoken

A Roman Herald

Featured

Male

Spoken

Young Martius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Titus Lartius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Lieutenant to Lartius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Gentlewoman

Featured

Female

Spoken

Valeria

Featured

Female

Spoken

Citizen of Antium

Featured

Male

Spoken

Adrian

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Roman Soldier

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Roman Soldier

Featured

Male

Spoken

Volscian Soldier

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Officer

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Officer

Featured

Male

Spoken

Fourth Roman Citizen

Featured

Male

Spoken

Fifth Roman Citizen

Featured

Male

Spoken

Sixth Roman Citizen

Featured

Male

Spoken

Seventh Roman Citizen

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Aedile

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Aedile

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Servingman

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Servingman

Featured

Male

Spoken

Third Servingman

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Watchman

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Watchman

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Conspirator

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Conspirator

Featured

Male

Spoken

Third Conspirator

Featured

Male

Spoken

Second Volscian Lord

Featured

Male

Spoken

Third Volscian Lord

Featured

Male

Spoken

First Volscian Lord

Featured

Male

Spoken

Citizens of Rome

Ensemble

Male

Spoken

Third Roman Soldier

Ensemble

Male

Spoken

Usher

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Scout

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Volscian Citizens & Lords

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Volscian Soldiers

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Roman Soldiers

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Patricians

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Plebeians

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Sorry! We do not currently have quizzes for this guide.

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: