Coriolanus facts for kids

Illustration by Gavin Hamilton

Coriolanus is an exciting play by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy, which means it tells a sad story about a hero who faces a downfall. Shakespeare probably wrote it between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of a real Roman leader named Caius Marcius Coriolanus. This play is one of the last two tragedies Shakespeare wrote, along with Antony and Cleopatra.

Coriolanus gets his special name after winning many battles for Rome. He is a very successful general. After his military victories, Coriolanus decides to get involved in politics. He wants to become a leader in the government. However, Coriolanus is not very good at dealing with people. He is proud and easily angered. Because of his personality, he quickly loses his political position. This makes him very angry. He then decides to join Rome's enemies to get revenge. The choices he makes to get his way eventually lead to his death.

Who Was Coriolanus?

Caius Marcius Coriolanus was a legendary Roman general. He lived a long time ago, around 500 BC. He was known for being incredibly brave and strong in battle. He fought for Rome against its enemies, especially the Volscians. His greatest victory was capturing the city of Corioli. This is how he earned the name "Coriolanus."

He was a hero to many Romans because of his military skills. However, he also had a very strong and proud personality. He believed he was always right. This made it hard for him to get along with ordinary people.

Coriolanus's Personality

Coriolanus was a complex character. He was a great soldier, but he struggled with everyday life. He was very proud and often looked down on the common people of Rome. He believed that only the rich and powerful should rule. This made him unpopular with many citizens.

He was also very stubborn. Once he made up his mind, it was hard to change it. This strong will helped him win battles. But it also caused problems when he tried to become a political leader. He found it hard to pretend to be humble or to ask for votes.

The Story of the Play

The play begins when Rome is facing a food shortage. The common people, called plebeians, are angry. They blame the rich leaders, called patricians. Coriolanus, a patrician, has no sympathy for the plebeians. He thinks they are lazy and ungrateful.

Military Victories

Soon, Rome goes to war with the Volscians. Coriolanus leads the Roman army. He shows amazing bravery in battle. He single-handedly captures the city of Corioli. This victory makes him a huge hero. The Roman Senate, which is like a parliament, gives him the special name "Coriolanus."

Entering Politics

After his military success, Coriolanus is encouraged to become a consul. A consul was one of the two highest leaders in the Roman Republic. To become consul, he needs the support of the plebeians. He must show them his battle scars and ask for their votes.

Coriolanus finds this very difficult. He hates asking for favors. He also dislikes the idea of showing his wounds to the common people. He thinks it is beneath him. Even so, he tries to follow the tradition.

Exile from Rome

The plebeians are still angry about the food shortage. Two tribunes, who are leaders of the plebeians, stir up trouble against Coriolanus. They accuse him of being an enemy of the people. They say he is too proud and wants to become a tyrant.

Coriolanus gets very angry and insults the plebeians. He refuses to change his ways. Because of his stubbornness and the tribunes' influence, the people vote to banish him from Rome. He is forced to leave his home city.

Joining the Enemy

Filled with rage, Coriolanus decides to get revenge on Rome. He goes to the Volscians, Rome's old enemies. He offers to lead their army against Rome. The Volscian general, Tullus Aufidius, agrees. He sees a chance to defeat Rome.

Coriolanus leads the Volscian army and marches towards Rome. The Romans are terrified. They send messengers to beg him to stop. But Coriolanus refuses to listen. He is determined to destroy the city that exiled him.

His Mother's Plea

Finally, Coriolanus's mother, Volumnia, comes to him. She is joined by his wife, Virgilia, and his son. Volumnia is a very strong and proud Roman woman. She begs her son to spare Rome. She tells him that if he destroys Rome, he will also destroy his own family's honor.

This is a very emotional moment. Coriolanus is torn between his anger and his love for his mother. In the end, his mother's powerful words convince him. He agrees to make peace between Rome and the Volscians.

Coriolanus's Downfall

By making peace, Coriolanus saves Rome. But he also makes a powerful enemy in Tullus Aufidius. Aufidius is angry that Coriolanus did not destroy Rome. He sees Coriolanus's decision as a betrayal.

Aufidius and his followers kill Coriolanus. Coriolanus dies because of his pride, his anger, and his final act of mercy. His story shows how a hero's strengths can also be his weaknesses.

Main Characters

Caius Marcius Coriolanus

The main character of the play. He is a brave and skilled Roman general. He is also very proud, stubborn, and dislikes the common people. His strong will leads to his rise and his fall.

Volumnia

Coriolanus's mother. She is a strong, patriotic Roman woman. She encourages her son to be a great warrior. She is the only person who can convince him to change his mind.

Virgilia

Coriolanus's wife. She is quiet and gentle. She loves her husband deeply and worries about him.

Tullus Aufidius

The leader of the Volscian army and Coriolanus's main enemy. He is a fierce warrior who respects Coriolanus's skill. But he also hates him and eventually plots his death.

Menenius Agrippa

An old and wise Roman patrician. He is a friend to Coriolanus. He tries to calm the angry plebeians and advise Coriolanus.

Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus

These are the two tribunes of the plebeians. They represent the common people. They are very clever and use their power to turn the plebeians against Coriolanus.

Why is it a Tragedy?

Coriolanus is a tragedy because it shows the downfall of a great hero. Coriolanus is a brave and honorable soldier. But his fatal flaw, his immense pride and inability to compromise, leads to his destruction. He cannot adapt to political life. He cannot humble himself to gain the people's support.

His story teaches us that even the strongest people can be brought down by their own character flaws. It also explores themes of leadership, loyalty, and the power of a mother's love.

Shakespeare's Time

Shakespeare wrote Coriolanus during a time of political change in England. There were often tensions between the rulers and the common people. Shakespeare often used stories from ancient Rome to explore these ideas. This allowed him to comment on his own society without directly criticizing the government.

The play also shows how important a good leader is. It explores what happens when leaders are too proud or do not listen to their people. These ideas were very important in Shakespeare's time, and they are still important today.

Important Lessons

Coriolanus teaches us several important lessons:

The Dangers of Pride: Coriolanus's pride makes him unable to connect with others. It leads to his exile and eventually his death.
The Importance of Compromise: In politics and life, it is often necessary to compromise. Coriolanus's refusal to do so causes many problems.
Listening to Others: A good leader listens to the people they serve. Coriolanus struggles with this, which leads to conflict.
The Power of Family: Even a strong warrior like Coriolanus can be influenced by his family, especially his mother.

Images for kids

John Philip Kemble as Coriolanus in "Coriolanus" by William Shakespeare, Thomas Lawrence (1798)
"Virgilia bewailing the absence of Coriolanus" by Thomas Woolner
An 1800 painting by Richard Westall of Volumnia pleading with Coriolanus not to destroy Rome.
The first page of The Tragedy of Coriolanus from the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, published in 1623