Content Warning: This section contains discussions of death by suicide.

The tribunes beg Menenius to go and speak with Coriolanus, hoping that their past friendship will help him to persuade Coriolanus not to attack Rome. Menenius is worried that he will not succeed, since Coriolanus sent back Cominius without even speaking to him. Cominius despairs that nothing can reach Coriolanus now and that the whole city will die for the sake of the tribunes and their allies.

The tribunes plead with Menenius to use his rhetorical skill to try to save the city and Menenius reluctantly agrees. He decides to go after dinnertime, thinking that having recently eaten might make Coriolanus more merciful and forgiving.

Menenius goes to the Volsces’ camp and the guards mock him, telling him that he cannot go in and speak with the generals. Menenius protests that he is like a father to Coriolanus and that their old friendship would compel the general to let him in to talk.

Coriolanus and Aufidius come out and see Menenius, who begs Coriolanus to spare them and forgive them. Coriolanus turns him away and leaves. The guards make fun of Menenius for his previous claims, but Menenius does not rise to their taunts.