The play is about Caius Martius, a wealthy man who is hated because of a shortage of corn has turned the citizens of Rome against the patrician senate and a rebellion has began.

Caius Martius, son of Volumnia, fights the neighbouring Volscians and his amazing courage in the battle for the town of Corioli, wins him the title 'Coriolanus'. It also wins him a mortal enemy, Tullus Aufidius, the Volscian general who vows revenge.

Back in Rome after a celebration of his single-handed victory, Coriolanus is persuaded to seek the consulship, but in the customary procedure of winning the people's consent, the citizens turn against him once more with a little help from two tribunes, Brutus and Sicinius. Coriolanus' temper is too much for the people to bare witness to despite attempts by his mother Volumnia who tries continually to calm him down and is finally banished from Rome.

Coriolanus then travels to Antium to meet his enemy Tullus Aufidius and offers himself to be taken as a general or as a victim.

Aufidius tells him to live and lead half of the Volscian army.

Coriolanus's arrogance gets on Aufidius's nerves but the two men lead an attack on Roman territory, and get as far as the gates of Rome. Coriolanus's friends and allies try to reason with him and finally his mother, Volumnia convinces him to negotiate for peace.

Coriolanus listens to his mother and returns to the Volscians, to explain that Rome will not be conquered.

Finally, Coriolanus is dragged before the Volscian senators and Aufidius accuses him of treason, and Aufidius is stabbed to death.