Shakespeare's Coriolanus and Plutarch: Part 3/3

the suggestion that Volumnia and Virgilia's coming to Coriolanus came from Valeria, Publicola's sister (see the North translation section 33), he does not specifically mention her as being present when the women went to see Coriolanus. Shakespeare's Coriolanus mentions her as present and speaks to her but she doesn't have any lines herself. See the North translation, section 34, section 35, and section 36.

Again there are many expressions from Sir Thomas North's translation of Plutarch which Shakespeare has transferred to his play:

Plutarch

Shakespeare

If we held our peace, my son, and determined not to speak, the state of our poor bodies, and present sight of our raiment, would easily bewray to thee what life we have led at home, since thy exile and abode abroad; but think now with thyself, how much more unfortunate than all the women living, we are come hither, ... For if I cannot persuade thee, rather to do good unto both parties than to overthrow and destroy the one, preferring love and nature before the malice and calamity of wars, thou shalt see, my son, and trust unto it, thou shalt no sooner march forward to assault thy country, but thy foot shall tread upon thy mother's womb, that brought thee first into this world.

VOLUMNIA Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither: ... if I cannot persuade thee Rather to show a noble grace to both parts 135 Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy country than to tread- Trust to't, thou shalt not--on thy mother's womb, That brought thee to this world.

Act 5 Scene 4 and Scene 5

There is much rejoicing in Rome when news of the women's success arrives.

This is mentioned in Plutarch in more detail. See the North translation, section 37.

Act 5 Scene 6

Aufidius feels he has been tricked by Coriolanus after helping him. When Coriolanus returns to Antium, Aufidius provokes him into losing his temper and then Aufidius and his henchmen kill Coriolanus.

According to Plutarch, Coriolanus offered to stand trial for his conduct in the war against Rome, but Aufidius out of jealousy at Coriolanus' growing influence among the Volsces has

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