This highly plausible essay seeks to demonstrate latent Oedipal themes in Coriolanus. In the early part of the play Coriolanus attempts to master his seductive mother, Volumnia. However, he fears engulfment in her ambitious designs to use him for her own military and political purposes. He reacts with aggression and hatred which is projected onto her genital, re-enforcing his expectation of castration. In the latter part he joins forces with a virile, loving father, Aufidius, against Volumnia. Later he provokes Aufidius to attack his body and thus achieves a love-death at his hands.