DRAMATIS PERSONE CAIUS MARCIUS, afterwards CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS TITUS LARTIUS, COMINIUS, generals against the Volscians MENENIUS AGRIPPA, friend to Coriolanus SICINIUS VELUTUS, JUNIUS BRUTUS, }tribunes of the people YOUNG MARCIUS, son of Coriolanus A Roman Herald TULLUS AUFIDIUS, general of the Volscians Conspirators with Aufidius A Citizen of Antium Two Volscian Guards VOLUMNIA, mother to Coriolanus VIRGILIA, wife to Coriolanus VALERIA, friend to Virgilia Gentlewoman attending on Virgilia Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attend ants. SCENE: Rome and the neighborhood; Corioli and the neighborhood; Antium SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Rome has been suffering from a famine which has been relieved by a free distribution of corn. Now the plebeians are demanding that the patricians supply them with corn at their own price. They are granted five tribunes of their own choice to defend their wishes. Among the patricians is one named Caius Marcius, who, although a high-minded man, is very brusque in his manners. The people believe him to be responsible for the high price of corn and desire to kill him. Just at this time a war breaks out with the Volsces under Aufidius. Marcius's deeds of bravery at Corioli win for him from the other generals and soldiers the title of Coriolanus. ACT II On his return to Rome, he is given a triumph; the senate elects him consul, but before he can assume the office, the people must give their consent. The plebeians would willingly have given him their support, but the speeches in which he asks for it are made so listlessly that it is very easy for Brutus and Sicinius, two demagogues, to persuade them to change their decision. АСТ III In his anger at this treatment Coriolanus says many things about the people's rights, and Brutus and Sicinius joyfully seize upon these statements and use them to condemn him to exile. ACT IV Coriolanus, "in mere spite, to be full quit of those his banishers," goes to Tullus Aufidius at Antium. He makes peace with his old enemy, who is glad to accept his aid for a campaign that he is about to start against Rome. When the news of this treaty gets abroad, all Rome is much distressed over it. ACT V Rome feels herself helpless before the invaders and sends Coriolanus's particular friends to him to intercede for peace. He refuses them all until his mother and wife come to him. Then he abandons the siege without striking a blow and returns to Antium. He is charged with treachery by Aufidius, and during the quarrel which follows the accusation, Coriolanus is assassinated. THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS ACT FIRST SCENE I Rome. A street. Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons. First Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. All. Speak, speak. First Cit. You are all resolved rather to die than to famish? All. Resolved, resolved. First Cit. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. All. We know 't, we know 't. First Cit. Let us kill him, and we 'll have corn 10 at our own price. Is 't a verdict? All. No more talking on 't; let it be done: away, away! Sec. Cit. One word, good citizens. First Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good. What authority surfeits |