Plot Of Coriolanus

In ancient Rome, in the aftermath of a famine, the common people, or plebeians, demand the right to set their own price for the city's grain supply. In response to their protests, the ruling aristocracy, or patricians, grant the plebeians five representatives, or tribunes--a decision that provokes the ire of the proud patrician soldier Caius Martius, who has nothing but contempt for the lower classes. At this time, war breaks out with a neighbouring Italian tribe, the Volscians, who are led by Martius' great rival, Tullus Aufidius. In the campaign that follows, the Volscians are defeated, and the Rome takes the Italian city of Corioles, thanks to the heroism of Martius. In recognition of his great deeds, he is granted the name Coriolanus.

Upon his return to Rome, Coriolanus is given a hero's welcome, and the Senate offers to make him consul. In order to gain this office, however, he must go out and plead for the votes of the plebeians, a task that he undertakes reluctantly. At first, the common people agree to give him their votes, but they later reverse their decision at the prodding of two clever tribunes, Brutus and Sicinius, who consider Coriolanus an enemy of the people. This drives the proud Coriolanus into a fury, and he speaks out intemperately against the very idea of popular rule; Brutus and Sicinius, seizing on his words, declare him a traitor to the Roman state and drive him into exile.

Desiring revenge against Rome, Coriolanus goes to his Volscian enemy, Aufidius, in the city of Antium, and makes peace with him. Aufidius is planning a new campaign against the Romans, and he welcomes Coriolanus's assistance, although he soon feels himself to be falling into his new ally's shadow. Their army proceeds to march on Rome, throwing the city into a panic--Rome's armies are helpless to stop the advance, and soon Aufidius and Coriolanus are encamped outside the city walls. Two of his oldest friends come pleading for mercy, but Coriolanus refuses to hear him. However, when his mother, Volumnia, to whom he is devoted, begs him to make peace, he relents, and the Romans hail Volumnia the savoir of the city. Meanwhile, Coriolanus and the Volscians return to Antium, where the residents hail Coriolanus as a hero. Aufidius, feeling slighted, declares that Coriolanus's failure to take Rome amounts to treachery; in the ensuing argument, some of Aufidius' men assassinate Coriolanus.

Key Themes Of The Text

Class - is a crucial theme in the play; people are accorded power and respect according to their class, and the rebellion that has Coriolanus thrown out of Rome is a class-based one. Throughout the play, there are ideas that one's class determines worthiness, autonomy, or amount of intelligence. The play itself validates the patricians' ideas of class, that the people are a collective that are easily guided and deceived, and are unable to handle large amounts of responsibility or decision-making.

Pride  - Coriolanus' fate is mainly steered by this trait; had he not been so governed by his pride, he would have been able to make amends with the people, and may not have even offended them in the first place. Some of Coriolanus' pride stems from his special abilities and his stature as a hero, and this pride keeps him from being a political leader and from being able to save his own career and life through compromise.

Love and battle - Several characters in the play, Aufidius and Coriolanus being the most notable, manage to confuse love and battle in their interactions with one another. This emphasizes how much more important to them war is than their personal relationships; they are consumed by their need for war, and have nothing left over for other areas of their lives. However, this confusion of love and battle indicates a very intense relationship for the pair, and a rivalry that consumes their entire lives.

Rivalry - Displayed in Aufidius' and Coriolanus' relationship, rivalry is portrayed as a relationship exceeding all others in intensity and importance. Included in this rivalry are ideals of soldier-like honour, respect for each other, and a constant striving for improvement.

Key Characters In Coriolanus

Caius Martius (Coriolanus) -  A fearless Roman soldier, he is given the name "Coriolanus" after he leads the Roman army to victory against the Volscian city of Corioles. Brave, terrifying in battle, and extremely valuable. He has a dislike for the lower classes of Rome, which lead to his exile from his native city.

Volumnia -  A Roman noblewoman and the mother of Caius Martius (Coriolanus). She raised him to be a warrior and feed off his accomplishments.

Menenius -  A clever Roman patrician, gifted with a clever tongue and a great wit. He is a friend to Caius Martius (Coriolanus), who praises his accomplishments, but also but also recognizes his downfalls.

Brutus -  One of the tribunes selected by the common people, of Rome to serve as their representative in the government. A clever politician, he makes Caius Martius (Coriolanus) hated by class he represents.

Sicinius -  A Roman tribune selected by the common people, of Rome to serve as their representative in the government. A clever politician motivated by his thirst for power, he and Brutus make Caius Martius (Coriolanus) hated by class he represents.

Tullus Aufidius -  A general of the Volscians, Rome's enemy. He is Caius Martius' (Coriolanus)  great rival in war but is not quite the equivalent of the Roman general, and his helplessness to defeat Caius Martius (Coriolanus)  annoys him.

Cominius -  A patrician of Rome and a former consul. He is a friend of Coriolanus, and he's one of the generals who leads the Roman army against the Volscians.

Virgilia -  A Roman noblewoman and Caius Martius' (Coriolanus) loyal wife.

Valeria -  A Roman noblewoman, she is close friends with Virgilia and Volumnia.

Young Martius  -  Caius Martius' (Coriolanus) and Virgilia's son.

E.R.I.C Production Meeting Minutes

E.R.I.C Production Meeting Minutes

Second Meeting

 

Changed the date of the performance from Friday 4 October 2013 to Friday 11 October 2013.

Can’t have a rehearsal at lunchtime on Friday 11 October 2013.

Plan for this week:

Need to practice without scripts

Wednesday – warm up outside (check if we are in the hall)