She plays a large role in Coriolanus' life, encouraging him in his military success and urging him to seek political office.

Scholars have noted her profound control over her son and her effect on his attitude towards life throughout the play.

Psychoanalytic literary scholars even suggest that she protects him as if he were her sexual partner, even keeping Coriolanus' own wife away from him.

Coriolanus recently joined the war against the Volscians, and while the two sit at home sewing, they discuss their fears about him.

Virgilia is much more apprehensive of the war than Volumnia, who thinks it honourable to have a son so renowned in battle.

In violent and bloody terms, she describes to Virgilia what she envisions her son doing at that moment: leading the Roman troops forward and crushing the Volscian leader, Aufidius.

When Virgilia says that she will not go outside until Coriolanus comes home, she tries, unsuccessfully, to change her mind, saying that she should be proud of such a husband.

When her son arrives, she praises him for his great deeds, saying he has fulfilled all her wishes for him except one: that he be appointed a Roman consul.

In act 3, after Coriolanus is accused of treason because of some poorly-chosen words, he retreats to his home and discusses his predicament with his mother and a few friends.

On leaving, Coriolanus joins the Volscians and destroys several Roman towns, eventually coming to the gates of Rome.

In a final effort, the Romans send Volumnia to persuade her son to be merciful, as he has refused all other messengers.