Seven scenes of warfare: Act i.iv–x

Abstract

Between i.iv and i.x, Shakespeare gives us seven scenes of warfare. Why not one? As the Romans are being beaten back, Coriolanus ‘enters’ separately cursing the retreating: he leads; the Volsces flee; ‘he enters the gates’ while the others fall back in fear. After we are told that he is dead, Coriolanus re-enters the stage, ‘bleeding’, ‘assaulted by the enemy’. He is superior, clearly the hero in this world of battle in contrast to Coriolanus the ranting, dislikeable, proud patrician of scenes in Rome. But he is also foolhardy, great but likely to end badly. He takes too many risks. Next [i.v] ‘enter certain Romans with their spoils’. The citizens’ view of war! Here we are now on Coriolanus’ side. He is bleeding and they are scavengers. Then [i.vi] ‘enter Cominius, as it were in retire, with soldiers’. Is Cominius the voice of temperance or another one of Shakespeare’s moderates who says the right thing in a way that convinces us that moderation is wrong? ‘We are come off/like Romans, neither foolish in our stands/Nor cowardly in retire’ [i.vi–xiii]. He might be right; but I want to be on Coriolanus’ side in any battle. As Cominius pontificates, Coriolanus enters covered with blood ‘come I too late?’