Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Menenius, the friction between the different classes in the State would have been reduced to a minimum. Unfortunately Menenius was an exception to his class, and the opposite but prevailing type of its spirit is introduced in Caius Marcius, whom the plebeians have already singled out as the representative of the patrician class.-RANSOME, Short Studies of Shakespeare's Plots.

THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS

DRAMATIS PERSONE

CAIUS MARCIUS, afterwards CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS

TITUS LARTIUS,

COMINIUS, generals against the Volscians

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, friend to Coriolanus

[blocks in formation]

Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attend

ants.

SCENE: Rome and the neighborhood; Corioli and the neighborhood;

Antium

SYNOPSIS

By J. ELLIS BURDICK

ACT I

Rome has been suffering from a famine which has been relieved by a free distribution of corn. Now the plebeians are demanding that the patricians supply them with corn at their own price. They are granted five tribunes of their own choice to defend their wishes. Among the patricians is one named Caius Marcius, who, although a high-minded man, is very brusque in his manners. The people believe him to be responsible for the high price of corn and desire to kill him. Just at this time a war breaks out with the Volsces under Aufidius. Marcius's deeds of bravery at Corioli win for him from the other generals and soldiers the title of Coriolanus.

ACT II

On his return to Rome, he is given a triumph; the senate elects him consul, but before he can assume the office, the people must give their consent. The plebeians would willingly have given him their support, but the speeches in which he asks for it are made so listlessly that it is very easy for Brutus and Sicinius, two demagogues, to persuade them to change their decision.

ACT III

In his anger at this treatment Coriolanus says many things about the people's rights, and Brutus and Sicinius joyfully seize upon these statements and use them to condemn him to exile.

ACT IV

Coriolanus, "in mere spite, to be full quit of those his banishers," goes to Tullus Aufidius at Antium. He makes peace with his old enemy, who is glad to accept his aid for a campaign that he is about to start against Rome. When the news of this treaty gets abroad, all Rome is much distressed over it.

ACT V

Rome feels herself helpless before the invaders and sends Coriolanus's particular friends to him to intercede for peace. He refuses them all until his mother and wife come to him. Then he abandons the siege without striking a blow, and returns to Antium. He is charged with treachery by Aufidius, and during the quarrel which follows the accusation, Coriolanus is assassinated.

« ZurückWeiter »