The Tragedy of Coriolanus — Act 4, Scene 2: The same. A street near the gate.

Sicinius, Brutus, and an aedile dismiss the crowd after Coriolanus’s banishment and tell them to go home now that the tribunes have shown their authority. They then avoid meeting Volumnia when Menenius arrives with her and Virgilia. Volumnia and Virgilia attack the tribunes bitterly for driving out Coriolanus, while Menenius tries to calm everyone. The two women sharply defend Coriolanus’s service to Rome and accuse Sicinius and Brutus of injustice and folly. After more abuse from Volumnia, the tribunes leave. Menenius praises her anger and asks her to supper, but she says she feeds on rage and cannot soften her grief.