Coriolanus

Back at his home, Coriolanus prepares to depart from Rome. His mother and his wife weep for him and he tries to comfort them, telling them that he will send word once he has gone from the city. He tells his mother to have the courage to bear adversity that she taught him, and predicts that the Romans will regret banishing him eventually. Menenius and Cominius are also present and weeping, and Cominius offers to accompany Coriolanus out of the city. Coriolanus departs, saying that he will be like a dragon driven away to the empty marshland and dreaded.

The tribunes celebrate their victory as Coriolanus leaves, but agree that they must appear more humble now that the deed is accomplished. As they walk, they encounter Volumnia and Virgilia. While they try to avoid them, the women confront them. Volumnia and Virgilia scathingly condemn the tribunes for what they have done to Coriolanus. The tribune Sicinius protests that Coriolanus has done this to himself, but Volumnia continues to curse him and remind him of her family’s military service to Rome. Menenius comes to escort the women back home, and Volumnia tells him that her anger towards the tribunes cannot be forgotten.