Coriolanus: Act 1, Scene 9 Summary & Analysis

Cominius and the Roman soldiers are met by Martius, whose arm is tied in a sling. Cominius says the deeds Martius has done that day are so spectacular that if recited, Martius himself would not believe them. Cominius plans to report the deeds to the Roman senators and patricians, which will cause even the “dull tribunes” and their rotten plebeians to thank the gods that Rome has a soldier like Martius. Cominius is still awed that Martius went back into battle after fighting alone within the city gates, comparing it to coming to a feast having fully dined before.

Titus Lartius then enters with some more Roman soldiers. He also begins to praise Martius, but Martius cuts him off, saying that he doesn’t even like it when his mother praises him. He only did what everyone else did, which is the best he could. His motives were the same as well: he did it for Rome.

Cominius insists that Martius not hide his accomplishment and merit, since Rome must know what a valuable soldier it has in Martius. Concealing these deeds would be slander and worse than stealing, and accepting praise here is modest. Cominius wants to reward Martius for what he is, not for what he has done, and Martius says that he has “wounds” that “smart to hear themselves remembered.” Cominius says that if they are not, they’ll become infected on account of ingratitude, and heal themselves.

Cominius then offers Martius his choice of all of the horses they have taken in the war, but Martius refuses, saying he cannot consent to take a bribe for his sword. He refuses the gift and asks for no more spoils than every other soldier who did his part. The Roman soldiers chant Martius’s name, and Martius continues with a small speech, saying that flattery should never be involved in war. The day trumpets and war drums and weapons are flatterers, he says, cities will be filled with hypocrites. The day steel receives an ovation for a battle is the day it turns soft as silk. Fighting while injured and defeating many (weak) enemies is something that many soldiers have done unnoticed. Praising him with hyperbolic accolades, Martius claims, is like lying.

Cominius believes that Martius is being much too modest and cruel to himself. If Caius Martius is intent on harming himself, they’ll figuratively treat him like someone they’d have to put in straight jacket and continue praising him anyway. Cominius proclaims that Martius is this war’s hero, for which he will present Martius with his noble steed. What’s more, from this time forward, for what Martius did in the war at Corioles, he will be given an additional name and be known as Martius Caius Coriolanus. The trumpets flourish and the Roman soldiers shout out Coriolanus’s new name.

Coriolanus says he’ll go wash off the blood, after which Cominius will be able to tell if he is blushing. Coriolanus thanks the general, and says he’ll ride the horse and do his best to use and justify his new name. Cominius will write to Rome of their success, while Lartius will stay in and oversee Corioles.

Coriolanus, after refusing most gifts from his general, asks Cominius for a favor. Once Coriolanus stayed in the city at a poor man’s house, where he was treated well. During the battle, this man was taken prisoner and cried out to Coriolanus, but Coriolanus saw Aufidius, and his wrath against his enemy overcame his pity for the poor man. Coriolanus asks Cominius if he will free the man, and Cominius says he’d let the man go even if he had killed Cominius’s own son. Cominius instructs Lartius to free the man, and Lartius asks Coriolanus for the man’s name, but Coriolanus has forgotten it. He is weary, and his memory is tired, so he asks for wine. They retire to Cominius’s tent, since the blood covering Coriolanus is drying and his wounds need to be cared for.