Character Relationship Map: Coriolanus

Characters

• Tullus Aufidius (played by Gerard Butler) — protagonist

  The fierce commander of the Volscian army and long-time mortal enemy of Coriolanus. After initially fighting him to a standstill, he reluctantly accepts the exiled Roman into his ranks. They jointly l...

• Virgilia (played by Jessica Chastain) — supporting

  Coriolanus's devoted wife who accompanies his mother and son to the Volscian camp. She plays a crucial role alongside Volumnia in appealing to her husband's familial bonds, successfully persuading him...

• Volumnia (played by Vanessa Redgrave) — supporting

  The ambitious and proud mother of Coriolanus. She actively pushes her son into politics to secure his consulship and later journeys to the Volscian camp with Virgilia and their son. Through her matern...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Volumnia → Virgilia (Family Mother-in-law) — They are connected through the Roman general's family and cooperate during the appeal for peace.

  Volumnia is the mother of the exiled Roman general, while Virgilia is his wife. They travel together with his son to appeal to him at the Volscian cam...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Tullus Aufidius → Virgilia (Conflict Political Opponent) — Virgilia's peace appeal undermines the military objective of Tullus Aufidius's campaign.

  Virgilia accompanies Volumnia to the Volscian camp and helps persuade the exiled Roman general to stop the campaign that Tullus Aufidius is leading ag...

• Tullus Aufidius → Volumnia (Conflict Political Opponent) — Their opposing objectives place them on opposite sides of the final conflict over Rome's fate.

  Tullus Aufidius leads the Volscian assault on Rome, while Volumnia persuades the exiled Roman general to halt the attack and broker peace.

Story Analysis

A celebrated warrior is destroyed by his contempt for popular rule, his dependence on familial authority, and the cycle of vengeance between rival armies.

Plot Progression

1. Bread, War, and Contempt — Riots erupt after grain is withheld during wartime. The Roman general's contempt for the citizens and his rivalry with the Volscian commander establish the central political and military tensions.
2. Victory Creates a Burden — The Romans capture Corioles after severe losses, and the victorious commander returns home honored. Volumnia then pushes him toward the consulship despite his reluctance.
3. Politics Turns Against Him — The military hero enters Roman politics but cannot conceal his contempt for popular rule. Political opponents exploit his rage, leading to his banishment from Rome.
4. The Exile Returns With an Army — The exiled general seeks refuge with his former enemy and joins the Volscian campaign against Rome. Roman attempts to stop the advance fail, and the crisis reaches the city walls.
5. A Family Plea and Final Betrayal — Volumnia and Virgilia persuade the exiled general to spare Rome and broker peace. The decision destroys his alliance with the Volscians, and Tullus Aufidius leads the attack that kills him.