Act 4 Scene 1
At an unspecified location, Coriolanus bids farewell to his family and friends before going into exile.
Plutarch tells us that Coriolanus said farewell to his mother and wife at home, before leaving. At the city gates he says farewell to the patricians accompanying him and then leaves Rome accompanied by a few friends. See the North translation, section 21
Act 4 Scene 2 and Scene 3
Coriolanus' mother and wife accompanied by Menenius meet the tribunes in the street. Volumnia tells them how Coriolanus is a much better man than all of them put together. A Roman and Volce meet, and the Roman gives the Volce the news of Coriolanus' banishment.
These scenes do not appear in Plutarch.
Act 4 Scene 4 and Scene 5
Coriolanus has made his way, with his face covered to Antium, where he asks the way to Aufidius' house. He goes into the house and refuses to be ejected by the servants. Baffled, they call their master, Aufidius, and Coriolanus reveals his identity. He has come to help Aufidius in the war against Rome the Volces are preparing.Aufidius' servants discuss this turn of events. One of them announces that the war will be launched that afternoon.
Plutarch simply says that Coriolanus went to Aufidius' house in Antium. This is Plutarch's first mention of Aufidius. When he arrived, he entered and sat down at the hearth until Aufidius came to ask him who he was. See the North translation, section 23. Again we can see how Shakespeare uses almost the exact words used in Sir Thomas North's translation:
Plutarch
Shakespeare
CORIOLANUS My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done To thee particularly and to all the Volsces Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service, The extreme dangers and the drops of blood Shed for my thankless country are requited But with that surname; a good memory, And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains; The cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be Whoop'd out of Rome.
Plutarch has a more detailed explanation of how the war between Rome and the Volsces was brought about. See the North translation, section 26.
Act 4 Scene 6
Back in Rome, the citizens regret banishing Coriolanus when they hear that he and Aufidius are on the march against Rome.
Coriolanus' approach throws the city into a panic. See the North translation, section 30.
Act 4 Scene 7
Aufidius reveals that he is still full of hatred and jealousy for Coriolanus, and that he has a plan to trap him once Rome has been conquered.
For Plutarch's account of Tullus Aufidius' motivations, see the North translation, section 31.
