Back in Rome, Menentius meets the two tribunes, Brutus and Sicinius. They tell him the people are against Coriolanus because of his pride, but Menentius replies that they (Brutus and Sicinius) are the proud ones. They meet Volumnia and Virgilia, who tell Menentius that Coriolanus is approaching the city. They discuss Coriolanus' wounds. Coriolanus appears, on his way to meet the Senate. Sicinius and Brutus discuss Coriolanus' chances of becoming consul without displaying his wounds before the populace as is the custom.
Plutarch mentions that candidates for the consulship used to wear only a toga but no tunic underneath. He suggests that this custom may have arisen as a sign of humility or so that the candidates could show off their wounds as a sign of their military prowess. He rejects the suggestion that it might be to avoid suspicion of bribery of the electorate. See the North translation section 14
Act 2 Scene 2
At a meeting of the Senate, Cominius recounts Coriolanus' many services to Rome, and the Senate adopts Coriolanus as their candidate for the consulship. Coriolanus still expresses doubts about the custom of appearing without a tunic to show off his wounds, but is advised to follow the custom, whatever he may privately think of it.
Plutarch places Cominius' speech in praise of Coriolanus on the morning after the capture of Corioli, when Martius rejected the booty but accepted the name Coriolanus. See the North translation section 10.
Act 2 Scene 3
Coriolanus fulfils the custom but in a very grudging, sarcastic manner. Although the citizens promise to vote for him, the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus persuade them not to before the actual election.
Plutarch attributes the people's ultimate rejection of Coriolanus to the too enthusiastic support of the Senate rather than Sicinius and Brutus persuading the people not to vote for Coriolanus. See the North translation section 15.
Act 3 Scene 1
Coriolanus is intercepted by the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus on his way to the market place where the voting is due to take place. They warn him not to go any further or there will be a riot because the people have become angry remembering the sarcastic, mocking way Coriolanus canvassed for votes and how he spoke against the distribution of free corn during the famine. Coriolanus becomes angry and recaps what he said before against the corn distribution and against allowing the election of tribunes to represent the people. Coriolanus and Sicinius come to blows and an attempt is made to haul Coriolanus off to be executed by being thrown off the Tarpeian rock for assaulting a tribune. Although Coriolanus and the senators with him manage to beat off the tribunes and people for the time being, Menenius persuades Coriolanus to go home, and attempts to diffuse the situation. He offers to try and persuade Coriolanus to stand trial.
