abstract:Volumnia is a character in William Shakespeare's play Coriolanus, the mother of Caius Martius Coriolanus. She plays a large role in Coriolanus' life, encouraging him in his military success and urging him to seek political office.
He is his own man, though we see very well that he's entirely the creation of his ferocious mother, Volumnia (a magnificent Vanessa Redgrave), and ultimately powerless before her.
His martial valour (and patrician snobbery) are less appreciated in the battlefield of politics, when he runs for consul at the urging of his mother, Volumnia (splendidly played, with steely ambition couched in soft tones, by Vanessa Redgrave in a military greatcoat).