William Shakespeare, Critical Commentary of The Tragedie of Coriolanus
Horace Howard Furness, Jr., A. B.; Litt. D., Ed.

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Were halfe . . . with him Gervinus (p. 753): In this declaration how delicately is a very characteristic stain cast on the valour of Coriolanus! He betrays by these words that his personal renown is of more value to him than his party, his cause, his country; he would fight as a hireling against Aufidius, no matter on which side!—Boas (Sh. & His Predecessors, p. 489): Like Hotspur, Coriolanus cares far more for personal glory than for the triumph of a common cause, as is shown by his declaration about the Volscian general, Tullus Aufidius. . . . This is to treat war merely as a gigantic duel between rival champions, and to ignore those patriotic aspects of it which alone give it moral justification. It is the same exaggerated passion for solely personal distinction that makes Coriolanus reject all material rewards for his services. He feels that the glory of achievements such as his is tarnished by the acceptance of spoils, however splendid, and similarly he refuses to listen to any laudation of his deeds not from humility, but because he deems them above the reach of due recognition by the voices of his fellow-men.—Prolss (p. 93): Here there is made evident a new virtue in Marcius—he is without hate and envy. He recognises without reservation the

characteristics of another, though that other be an opponent, perhaps freely only, since he is of equal rank with Aufidius. He does not feel himself thereby repressed, but his self-confidence is so much the more exalted. He cannot desire strongly enough a veritable heroic nature for his adversary. Yet another virtue should be visible in him: that is the willingness with which, in spite of his pride, he submits himself to those above him in command.—Beeching (Falcon Sh.): This is not said altogether seriously, but there is truth in it. Men who are soldiers before everything have not seldom been careless as to the side on which they fought.