Play: Coriolanus Author: Shakespeare

Text used: Arden Library ref:

Key: enter from within enter from without exit inwards Exit outwards

Act door Entering door Space-time indication Commentary /sc IN characters OUT and notes I.i Mutinous FIRST CITIZEN The other side o’ th’ A mutinous gathering in the streets Citizens city is risen. Why stay we prating of Rome. here? To th’ Capitol! (46-7) Menenius MENENIUS What work’s, my He meets the mutinous Citizens. countrymen, in hand? Where go you With bats and clubs? (54-5) Coriolanus MENENIUS What says the other troop? Coriolanus comes from the ‘other COR. They are dissolved. (203) troop’ whose off-stage shouts are heard at 45. Their petition has been granted by the authorities who are associated with the inner, Capitoline door. Messenger MESSENGER The news is, sir, the News comes from outwards, unless. (‘hastily’) Volsces are in arms. (223) Sicinius FIRST SENATOR Martius, ‘tis true... The Tribunes and Senators have Brutus The Volsces are in arms. (226) just heard the news from the Cominius Messenger, and thus enter from the Titus Lartius same door. other Senators Coriolanus FIRST SENATOR Your company to th’ The Senators exit inwards to the Senators Capitol, where I know Our greatest Capitol, and Senator directs the Cominius friends attend us. Citizens towards the outward door; Citizens FIRST SENATOR Hence to your but Coriolanus ironically invites homes, be gone!... them to the inward, Capitoline door COR. Nay, let them follow... and to the prospect of warfare; they Worshipful mutineers, Your valour ‘steal away’ in the opposite puts well forth. Pray follow... direction. Citizens steal away. (243-4, 247-9) Sicinius SICINIUS Let’s hence and hear How The Tribunes leave for the Capitol Brutus the dispatch is made. (275-6) to listen to the deliberations about Menenius the coming war. I.ii Aufidius FIRST SENATOR So your opinion is, MARKED congestion: change of Senators of Aufidius, That they of Rome are location to senate of Corioles: Corioles entered in our counsels...(1-2) inwards door. Aufidius SECOND SENATOR. Hie you to your Split exit: Aufidius outwards, they Senators bands. Let us alone to guard remain to defend city. Corioles....Bring up your army. (26-7, 29) I.iii Volumnia They set them down on two low stools MARKED congestion at inwards Virgilia and sew. (0.2) door. Change of location; new scene set with domestic props, perhaps brought on from outwards door by stage hands. The ladies enter from more private chambers. Gentlewoman GENTLEWOMAN Madam, the Lady She announces a visitor from Valeria is come to visit you. (26) outwards. Gentlewoman VOLUMNIA Tell Valeria, We are fit to She exits to admit Valeria. bid her welcome. (43-4) Valeria VALERIA You are manifest Valeria enters the domestic space. Usher housekeepers. (51) Gentlewoman 2 Valeria VALERIA Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy Valeria and Volumnia exit to visit Volumnia solemness out o’ door and go along ‘the good lady that lies in’ (76), but Virgilia with us. Virgilia refuses to leave her house VIRGILIA. No, at a word, madam. while Coriolanus is at war. Indeed, I must not. (105-9) I.iv Coriolanus as before the city of Corioles MARKED congestion as the stage Lartius is reset. For the battle scenes of the Soldiers rest of Act I, the city of Corioles becomes the inwards locality, the Roman camp the outwards. Messenger To them a Messenger The Messenger brings news of the COR. How far off lie these armies? more remote battlefield where MESSENGER Within this mile and Cominius and Aufidius are fighting. half. (8) The contrast between Corioles (inwards) and Roman camp and main battlefield (outwards) is strongly established. Senators on the walls of Corioles They enter and (probably at 22) exit ‘with others’ above. Army of the CORI. They fear us not, but issue forth The Volscian army emerges from Volsces their city. (23) inside the city. Coriolanus The Romans are beat back to their They are forced back outwards, Lartius trenches. towards the Roman camp. Soldiers Coriolanus COR. ...we’ll beat them to their wives, Coriolanus leads a counterattack, Soldiers As they us to our trenches. (42) emphasising the contrasting localities of inwards home and outwards battlefield. Volscians COR. So now the gates are ope... Coriolanus disappears into Soldiers FIRST SOLDIER See, they have shut Corioles. Coriolanus him in. (43, 46) Lartius LARTIUS What is become of Lartius re-enters after the retreat to Martius?(48) the trenches. Coriolanus Enter Martius, bleeding, assaulted by Coriolanus makes his retreat from the Enemy. within the city, still fighting. All LARTIUS Let’s fetch him off, or make Led by Coriolanus, the Romans remain alike. take Corioles. They fight, and all enter the city. (62) I.v Roman FIRST ROMAN This will I carry to MARKED congestion at inwards Soldiers Rome. (1) door. A pause with alarums covers the time required to conquer the city; congestion also marks the time-lapse. Soldiers They carry their booty to the camp. Coriolanus CORIO. ...what noise the general Coriolanus emerges to join in the Lartius makes. To him! (9) main battle. Trumpet Coriolanus CORIO. To Aufidius thus I will appear He exits to join in the main battle. and fight. (19-20) Lartius COR. ...take Convenient numbers to Lartius returns to secure the Trumpet make good the city...(11-12) conquest of Corioles. I.vi Cominius Enter Cominius, as it were in retire, Cominius makes a tactical retreat Soldiers with soldiers. from the main battlefield. COMINIUS Breathe you, my friends. (1) Messenger MESSENGER The citizens of Corioles He brings news from the direction have issued... (10) of Corioles. Coriolanus COR. Come I too late? (24) Now arriving from outwards to the field. All COR. Please you to march. (83) All exit to resume the fight on the main battlefield. I.vii Lartius LARTIUS So, let the ports be guarded. Lartius, having secured Corioles ... Lieutenant (1) 3 Soldiers Lieutenant LIEUT. Fear not our care, sir. (5) ... leaves officers in charge ... Lartius LARTIUS ...come; to th’ Roman camp ... and exits outwards to join the Soldiers conduct us. (7) main army. I.viii Coriolanus Alarum, as in battle’. Enter Martius and MINIMAL congestion minimised Aufidius Aufidius at several doors. by offstage sound effects. Binary battle pattern. Volscian certain Volsces come in aid of Aufidius . Stage left identified as the Volscian Soldiers side. Coriolanus Martius fights till they be driven in Coriolanus again carries battle into Aufidius, breathless enemy territory. Volscian Soldiers I.ix Cominius Enter, at one door, Cominius, with the MINIMAL congestion covered by Romans Romans; at another door, Martius . offstage sound effects of fighting. Coriolanus Coriolanus completes a backloop. Lartius Enter Titus, with his Power, from the Lartius has witnessed Coriolanus’ Soldiers pursuit. most recent deeds against Aufidius. Cominius COM. So, to our tent... You, Titus Fork in the road: Lartius is being Coriolanus Lartius, Must to Corioles back. (71-4) sent back to Corioles, Cominius and Soldiers Coriolanus to their tent. Final exits Lartius from the battlefield, again specifically locating the Roman camp and Corioles. I.x Aufidius AUF. The town is ta’en... Aufidius re-enters by the door Soldiers through which he exited in battle with Coriolanus. The congestion of Aufidius’ re-entry, crossing the solitary Lartius, together with the flourish and cornets which begin the scene, reset the stage. Aufidius ...Go you to th’ city... I am attended at This has the marks of a loop scene, Soldiers the cypress grove:... ‘Tis south the but the specification of separate city mills. (27, 30-1) destinations seems to demand separate exits, even though this creates congestion. II.i Menenius The augurer tells me we shall have news Back in Rome, they come out Sicinius tonight. (1) preparing for news from the battle. Brutus Volumnia VOL...my boy Martius approaches. For They are heading from home, Virgilia the love of Juno, let’s go. (99-100) where they have received letters, in Valeria the direction of the city gates. Cominius HER. Welcome to Rome, renowned Entering the city in triumph after a Lartius Coriolanus! (165) military campaign. Coriolanus Soldiers Herald Menenius COM. On, to the Capitol! (202) Procession ‘in state’ to the Capitol, Volumnia the city’s innermost sanctum. Virgilia Valeria Cominius Lartius Coriolanus Soldiers Herald Messenger MESS. You are sent for to th’ Capitol. (249) Sicinius BRU. Let’s to the Capitol... (257) Exit inwards. Brutus II.ii Two Officers Enter two Officers, to lay cushions, as it Minor characters, whose entry from were in the Capitol. DL avoids congestion. No entries or 1 OFF. Come, come, they are almost exits seem to occur inwards to or 4 here. (1) from the Capitol. Patricians MEN. ...Coriolanus, whom We met here Carousel move: processional entry Sicinius both to thank and to remember With to the Capitol. Brutus honours like himself. (46-8) Lictors Coriolanus Menenius Cominius Coriolanus COR. I had rather have my wounds to Coriolanus departs the Senate rather heal again Than hear say how I got than hear an oration in his praise... them. (75) Coriolanus 1 SEN. Call Coriolanus. ...and re-enters. OFF. He doth appear. (130-1)

Coriolanus MEN. It then remains that you do speak Processional exit of the Senate, in Menenius to the people. (132-3) preparation for Coriolanus’ Cominius appearance in the Market-place. Patricians Lictors Sicinius BRU. On th’ market-place I know they The Tribunes exit for the Market- Brutus [the people] do attend us. (159-60) place. II.iii Citizens 1 CIT. Once if he do require our voices, The Citizens enter from inwards, we ought not to deny him. (1-2) establishing the new location as the Market-place. Coriolanus 3 CIT. Here he comes, and in the gown They enter from outwards; the Menenius of humility. (84) Capitol is now a remote location. Citizens 3 CIT. ...follow me, and I’ll direct you The Citizens exit inwards, in order how you shall go by him. (43-4) to re-enter in small groups. Menenius MEN. I’ll leave you... Menenius leaves Coriolanus. The Citizens COR. Bid them wash their faces... (57- citizens re-enter from inwards, as 8) proposed. Simultaneous mid-scene entrance/ exit. Citizens Citizens return inwards (other groups of citizens then enter and exit similarly). Menenius MEN. The people do admit you. (142) Menenius now returns from the Brutus Capitol with Brutus and Sicinius. Sicinius Coriolanus COR. May I change these They exit outwards to their houses. Menenius garments?...That I’ll straight do; and...repair to the Senate House. (144-6) Plebeians SIC. How now, my masters! Have you Simultaneous mid-scene entrance/ chose this man? (153) exit. The Citizens report to the Tribunes on the observation. Plebeians BRU....when you have drawn your The Citizens exit to the Capitol and number, Repair to th’ Capitol. (251-2) the Senate. Sicinius SIC. To th’ Capitol, come.: We will be They too follow towards the Brutus there before the stream Capitol. o’th’people.(258-9) III.i Coriolanus COR. Tullus Aufidius then had made From the Capitol, discussing news Menenius new head? (1) which Lartius brings from Corioles. Gentry Cominius Lartius Senators Sicinius COR. Behold, these are the tribunes of Tribunes have, as they intended, Brutus the people. (21) reached the Capitol before the people (see end previous scene). Their entry opposes them to the Gentry. Aedile BRU. The aediles, ho! (171) The Tribunes’ officer enters... Aedile SIC. Go, call the people...(173) ...and exits towards the people. 5 Plebeians Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles Aediles. SIC. Help, ye citizens!... BRUTUS Seize him, aediles! (179, 181) Sicinius In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Aediles, They are driven back outwards, Brutus and the People are beat in. Exeunt. away from Capitol. Aediles (227) People Coriolanus MEN. Go, get you to your house!... Coriolanus exits towards his house, Cominius COM. Nay, come away. (228, 251) in the direction of power. Gentry Lartius Senators Brutus Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the Return from outwards demanding Sicinius rabble again. to see Coriolanus. Rabble SIC. Where is this viper...? Menenius MEN. Give me leave, I’ll go to him, and Coriolanus is to face an extra-legal Senators undertake to bring him Where he shall meeting in the Market-place, not answer by a lawful form... the legal meeting originally planned Sicinius 1 SEN. Pray you, let’s to him... for the Capitol. Split exit as Brutus SIC. Meet on the market-place. We’ll Menenius and Senators go towards People attend you there. (323-4, 331) Capitol, others towards marketplace. III.ii Coriolanus COR. I muse my mother Does not Domestic scene, entry mid- Nobles approve me further. (7-8) conversation from inwards. Congestion at inwards door is almost entirely avoided (minimised) by staggered exit in previous scene. Volumnia COR. I talk of you. (13) She enters from further within the house. Menenius MEN. You must return and mend it. Carousel move for Menenius etc: Senators (26) this entry is from without. Cominius COM. I have been i’ th’ market-place. Cominius has accompanied (93) Coriolanus home and then gone out to investigate further. He returns from without. Volumnia VOL. Do your will. (137) She retires to female privacy. Coriolanus COR. Mother, I am going to the market- They exit for the Market-place. and the rest place. (131) III.iii Sicinius BRU. In this point charge him home... They are at the Market-place... Brutus (1) Aedile BRUTUS What, will he come? ...and the Aedile arrives from AEDILE He’s coming. (5-6) outwards, preceding Coriolanus. Aedile SICINIUS Assemble presently the Aedile exits to assemble the people. people hither. (12) Coriolanus SIC. Well, here he comes. (30) Coriolanus arrives at the Menenius marketplace. Cominius Others Aedile SIC. Draw near, ye people. (39) Aedile returns with the Plebeians. Plebeians Coriolanus COR. Despising, For you, the city, thus Coriolanus moves outwards, to the Menenius I turn my back. There is a world world outside Rome. This direction Cominius elsewhere. (133-5) reverses his triumphant entry in II.i. Others Sicinius ALL Come, come, let’s see him out at The people follow Coriolanus ‘with Brutus gates! (142) all despite’ (139). Aedile Plebeians IV.i Coriolanus COR. A brief farewell. (1) Carousel move signifies new Volumnia locality. Virgilia 6 Menenius Cominius Young Nobility’ All COR. Bring me but out at gate. (47) They proceed towards the city gates. IV.ii Sicinius SIC. Bid them all home. He’s gone, and They are a little behind the nobles Brutus we’ll no further. (1) and people, observing events. Aedile Aedile BRU. Dismiss them home. (7) The Aedile exits in the direction of the gates and the people. Volumnia BRU. Here comes his mother. (8) Mid scene crossover at outwards Virgilia door with exiting Aedile; entry Menenius from the gates. Sicinius SIC. Why stay we to be baited With one The Tribunes exit back towards Brutus that wants her wits? (43-4) city. Volumnia MEN. You’ll sup with me? (49) Ditto; slight staggering of exit. Virgilia Menenius IV.iii Roman ROMAN I know you well, sir, and you They appear to enter together, since Volsce know me. (1) the s.ds in this play tend to specify entries from opposite doors. Roman ROMAN Well, let us go together. (47) They have met outside Antium and Volsce now continue their journey towards the town. This does not appear to be a loop scene. IV.iv Coriolanus COR. A goodly city is this Antium. (1) The exile enters from without. Citizen COR. Which is [Aufidius’] house, The citizen enters probably from beseech you? outwards, since he makes no CITIZEN This, here before you. (9-10) reference to having come from Aufidius’ house. Citizen COR. Thank you, sir. Farewell. (11) Returns whence he came. Coriolanus COR. I’ll enter. (24) Coriolanus enters the house of Aufidius. IV.v First Music plays MINIMAL congestion as Servant Servingman FIRST SERVINGMAN What service is crosses Coriolanus, but music and here? I think our fellows are asleep. the pause caused by the congestion (1-2) reset the locality to inside Aufidius’ house. The feast is taking place within, the servants are working without. First Outwards to wake up servants Servingman Second SECOND SERVINGMAN Where’s Clearly from inwards Servingman Cotus? My master calls for him. (3) Second Returns inwards. Servingman COR. The feast smells well, but I Carousel move: Coriolanus has Coriolanus Appear not like a guest. (5-6) entered the house, now continues inwards; Coriolanus’ entry apparently through the servants’ area. Simultaneous mid-scene entrance/exit. First Now returning from the kitchens. Servingman First He returns towards the feast. Servingman Second 2 SERV. Whence are you sir? (12) Seems to be coming from inwards, Servingman waylaying Coriolanus. Third Enter third Servingman... The s.d. implies opposite door Servingman entries. First ...the first meets him. Servingman Second 1 SERV. Prithee, tell my master what a He enters the feasting chamber. 7 Servingman strange guest he has here. 2 SERV. And I shall.(35-7) Third COR. Serve with they trencher: hence! Apparently Third Servingman is Servingman Beats him away. (49) beaten off the stage outwards.

Aufidius AUF. Where is the fellow? (51) Simultaneous mid-scene entrance Second and exit. Aufidius enters from the Servingman. feast. Aufidius AUF. Your hand. Most welcome! (148) Coriolanus is conducted into Coriolanus 1 SERV. Here’s a strange alteration. Aufidius’ feast; First and Second (149) remain, discussing Coriolanus’ prowess. Third 3 SERV. O slaves, I can tell you news! He reports on events in the feasting Servingman (174) chamber, so must have done a backstage cross since previous exit. 1, 2, 3 3 SERV. They are rising, they are Noises recall the servingmen to the Servingmen rising. chamber as the feast ends. IV.vi Sicinius SIC. We hear not of him, neither need They enter from outwards. Their Brutus we fear him...See Our tradesmen account of undisrupted commercial singing in their shops and going activity suggests they have come About their functions friendly. (1, 7- from the street. 9) Menenius BRU. Is this Menenius? Dialogue may suggest Menenius SIC. Where is he [Coriolanus], hear arriving from Coriolanus’ family you? house. MEN. Nay, I hear nothing. His mother and his wife Hear nothing form him. (10, 17-19) Three or Four SIC. Good e’en, our neighbours. (20) From outwards. Citizens Citizens Return whence they came. Aedile AED. There is a slave whom we have Prison too is a remote location. put in prison Reports the Volsces... (38-9) Messenger MESS. The nobles in great earnestness More news from remote locations. are going All to the Senate House. (58-9) Another MESS. You are sent for to the Senate. Ditto. Messenger (75) Cominius COMI. You have made good work! (81) Cominius seems to speak with direct knowledge of Coriolanus’ advance on Rome, bringing news from without. A troop of MEN. Here come the clusters. (129) They enter by the outwards door. Citizens Menenius MEN. Shall’s to the Capitol? (148) They go to take counsel. Cominius Citizens 2 CIT. But come, let’s home. (156) They return outwards. Sicinius BRU. Let’s to the Capitol. (160) Following Menenius and Cominius Brutus to the Capitol. Fork in the outwards road (Capitol and citizens’ homes). IV.vii Aufidius AUF. Do they still fly to th’ Roman? (1) From inwards. Lieutenant Aufidius AUF. S Come, let’s away. (56) They exit outwards. Lieutenant V.i Menenius MEN. Go, you that banished him...I’ll Entry from the inwards door, Cominius keep at home. (4, 7) establishing the contrast with Sicinius Coriolanus’ camp outside the gates. Brutus Others Menenius MEN. Good faith, I’ll prove him. (60) He exits in the direction of Coriolanus’ camp. Cominius COM. Therefore let’s hence, And with They exit inwards to the house of 8 Sicinius our fair entreaties haste them on [sc. Volumnia and Virgilia. Brutus ‘his noble mother and his wife’]. (73- Others 4) V.ii Watch Enter Menenius to the Watch on guard. MARKED congestion at inwards Menenius door: the Watch enters to take up guard and reset location at Coriolanus’ camp, and then Menenius enters. Coriolanus MEN. ...you shall perceive that a Jack They enter from inwards door now Aufidius guardant cannot office me from my associated with the exiled and son Coriolanus (60-61) conquering Coriolanus’ camp. Coriolanus COR. Another word, Menenius, I will They return to Coriolanus’ quarters. Aufidius not hear thee speak. (89-90) Menenius MEN. I say to you, as I was said to, He returns outwards towards the ‘Away!’ (105-6) city. Guard Return inwards. V.iii Coriolanus COR. We will before the walls of Rome PROBLEMATIC congestion. They Aufidius tomorrow Set down our host. (1-2) enter from Coriolanus’ quarters (inwards). Virgilia COR. My wife comes foremost... (22) They enter from the direction of the Volumnia city. Valeria young Martius Attendants Coriolanus COR. But we will drink They exit inwards to Coriolanus’ Aufidius together...Come, enter with us. (203, quarters. Virgilia 206) Volumnia Valeria young Martius Attendants V.iv Menenius MEN. See yond coign o’ th’ Capitol...? Opening line resets the locality Sicinius (1) within Rome. The Capitol is represented by the tiring-house facade. Messenger MESS. The plebeians have got your He enters bearing news from the fellow-tribune, And hale him up and town. . down... (36) Messenger MESS. The ladies have prevailed. (41) News from Coriolanus’ camp, coming from the same door as but contrasted to the preceding piece of news. Menenius SIC. We will meet them, And help the Clearing the stage for the big Sicinius joy. (62-3) procession in the next scene, and Messenger doubtless augmenting its numbers. Messenger V.v Senators SENATOR Cry, ‘Welcome, ladies, MINIMAL congestion at outwards Volumnia welcome!’ (6) door if first Senator precedes, as Valeria dialogue suggests, rest of Virginia procession. Probably minimised by Lords formalities of procession and sound effects. The procession enters Rome, echoing Coriolanus’ triumphant entry in II.i and reversing his exile in IV.i. Senators The procession continues into the Volumnia city. Valeria Virginia Lords V.vi Aufidius AUF. Go, tell the lords of the city I am The opening line resets the stage to Attendants here. (1) Corioles, though camp and city retain their usual gates. 9 Attendants AUF. Dispatch. (8) Simultaneous mid-scene Conspirators AUF. Most welcome! (8) entrance/exit. Conspirators enter from outwards tas attendant is dispatched inwards to announce Aufidius’ arrival. Lords of the AUF. Here come the lords. (60) city Coriolanus AUF. He approaches. You shall hear Coriolanus’ arrival comes after Drum him. (70) Aufidius’, who has already made an Colours Enter Coriolanus marching with drum entry to the city (49-51). Commoners and colours, the Commoners being with him. All AUF. Though in this city he hath Coriolanus makes his final entry widowed and unchilded many a into the precincts of a city. one,...Yet he shall have a noble memory. (150-3) backstage cross