SOURCE: Thomas, Vivian. “Sounds, Words, Gestures and Deeds in Coriolanus.” In Shakespeare's Roman Worlds, pp. 154-219. London: Routledge, 1989.

In the following excerpt, Thomas contrasts Shakespeare's dramatic presentation of Coriolanus with Plutarch's historical assessment of the figure, comparing the two authors' divergent handling of character, story, and theme.

                                                                                                              from face to foot He was a thing of blood, whose every motion Was tim'd with dying cries … 

(II.ii.108-10)

                                                                                                                                                      before him he Carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears: Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie, Which, being advanc'd, declines, and then men die. 

(II.i.157-60)

I have seen the dumb men throng to see him, and The blind to hear him speak …                                                                                 the nobles bended As to Jove's statue, and the commons made A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts … 

(II.i.260-5)

Plutarch begins his account of the life of Caius...