Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
Once he asks for our votes, we're obligated not to refuse him.
If he asks for our votes, we pretty much have to give them to him.
if he asks we have to say yes
We may, sir, if we will.
We can refuse him if we want to, sir.
But we can say no if we want to.
we can refuse
We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no
power to do; for, if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we
are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them. So, if he
tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of
them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful
were to make a monster of the multitude, of the which we being members,
should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
We have the power to do it, but in a way we don't. If he shows us his wounds and tells us his deeds, we're supposed to put our voices into those wounds and speak for them—meaning we owe him vocal support. If he tells us his noble deeds, we must tell him our noble approval. To be ungrateful would be monstrous, and if the crowd were ungrateful, it would make the crowd itself monstrous—and since we're part of the crowd, we'd make ourselves monstrous members.
We can do it, but we can't—you know? If he shows us his scars and talks about what he did, we're supposed to use our voices to back him up in return. If he tells us his great deeds, we have to tell him we appreciate them. Being ungrateful would be sick, and it would turn all of us into sick people—monsters—since we're part of the crowd.
we can but can't if he shows wounds we owe him our voices ungrateful = monstrous
And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once
we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the
many-headed multitude.
And to keep us feeling worse about ourselves, a small reminder will do: when we stood up about the grain shortage, he himself didn't hesitate to call us the many-headed mob.
And just so we remember how he really feels, when we complained about food prices, he straight-up called us a mindless mob.
when we complained about grain he called us the many-headed mob
We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some
black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely
coloured; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one
skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of
one direct way should be at once to all the points o’ th’ compass.
We've been called that by many—not that our heads are different colors, brown or black or auburn or bald, but that our minds are so diversely directed. Truly, if all our minds came out of one skull, they'd fly east, west, north, south—our agreement would scatter to all compass points at once.
Yeah, people call us that—not because of our hair color, but because our thoughts go in a million directions. Honestly, if all our brains came out of one head, they'd scatter in every direction at once—north, south, east, west.
many-headed not hair color our thoughts scatter east west north south
Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?
What do you think? Which direction do you imagine my wit would go?
You think so? So where do you reckon my mind would head?
where would my mind go then?
Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man’s will; ’tis strongly
wedged up in a blockhead. But if it were at liberty, ’twould, sure,
southward.
Your wit won't escape as quickly as another man's—it's wedged too firmly in a blockhead. But if it could get out, it would go south, I think.
Yours would take forever to get out because it's stuck in a thick skull. But if it did, it'd head south.
stuck in blockhead would go south
Why that way?
Why that way?
Why south?
why
To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with
rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience’ sake, to help to
get thee a wife.
To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away by rotten dampness, the fourth part would return for conscience's sake—to help you find a wife.
To get lost in a swamp where it'd rot away, and the tiny bit that's left would come back just to do charity work: finding you a wife.
get lost in fog melt away come back to get you a wife
You are never without your tricks. You may, you may.
You never stop with your jokes. Go ahead, you can if you want.
You always have a quip. Fine, say what you want.
you always joke go ahead
Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that’s no matter; the
greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people,
there was never a worthier man.
Are you all ready to give him your votes? Doesn't matter—the majority will decide. But I say, if he would just be favorable to the people, there was never a worthier man.
Are we all voting for him? Doesn't matter, the majority wins anyway. But honestly, if he'd just be nice to the people, he'd be the best.
we vote for him majority decides if he'd be nice he'd be the best
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour. We are
not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones,
by twos, and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars,
wherein everyone of us has a single honour in giving him our own voices
with our own tongues. Therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you
shall go by him.
Here he comes, wearing the robe of humility. Pay attention to how he behaves. We shouldn't all approach him together, but in small groups—ones, twos, and threes at a time. He has to ask for votes individually, and each of us gets the honor of giving our own vote with our own voice. So follow me, and I'll show you how to approach him.
Here he is, dressed in that humble robe. Watch how he acts. We can't all mob him at once—we'll go in small groups, one or two or three at a time. He wants to ask us individually for our votes, and it gives each of us a chance to see he cares about our support. Come on, I'll show you the way.
here he comes in humble robe watch him go in small groups he asks for votes one at a time follow me i'll show u
Content, content.
Content, content.
Content, content.
content, content.
O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
The worthiest men have done’t?
Sir, I'm surprised. Haven't the most respected men done this before?
Sir, I'm confused. Doesn't every decent man do this?
havent good men done this before?
What must I say?
“I pray, sir”—plague upon’t! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace. “Look, sir, my wounds!
I got them in my country’s service when
Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th’ noise of our own drums.”
What should I say? 'I beg you, sir'—I hate this! I can't make my tongue work this way. 'Look, sir, at my wounds! I got them fighting for my country, while some of your own people screamed and ran from the sound of our own drums.'
What am I supposed to say? 'Please, sir'—ugh, I can't do this! 'Look at my wounds, sir. I got them defending our country while your people were running and screaming from our own soldiers.'
what do i say? i got these wounds for you guys while your people ran from our own drums
O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that. You must desire them
To think upon you.
My god, don't mention that! You must ask them to think well of you instead.
Don't do that! You need to make them think you're great.
dont do that. make them think ur good
Think upon me! Hang ’em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by ’em.
Think of me! Forget them! I'd rather they'd forget me, the way they abandon the virtues their clergy teaches.
Forget about them! I wish they'd forget me just like they forget all those virtues their priests talk about.
id rather they forget me like they forget everything good
You’ll mar all.
I’ll leave you. Pray you speak to ’em, I pray you,
In wholesome manner.
You'll ruin everything. I'm leaving you now. Please, I'm asking you, speak to them properly and respectfully.
You're going to ruin this. I'm going to leave. Please, just talk to them decently.
ur gonna ruin this. talk to them right
Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
Tell them to wash their faces and brush their teeth.
Just tell them to wash up and brush their teeth.
tell them to wash and brush teeth
So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here.
So, here comes a pair of you. You know why I'm standing here, sirs.
Alright, here come a couple of you. You know what this is about, right?
here come two of u—u know y i'm here
We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.
Yes, sir. Tell us what brought you to ask for this office.
Yeah, sir. Tell us why you want this job.
why do u want consul?
Mine own desert.
What I've earned through my own achievements.
What I've earned for myself.
what i earned
Your own desert?
Your own achievements?
You earned it yourself?
u earned it?
Ay, but not mine own desire.
Yes, but not because I actually want it.
Yeah, but I don't really want it myself.
but i dont really want it
How, not your own desire?
What? You don't really want it?
What do you mean you don't really want it?
you dont want it?
No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
No, sir. I've never wanted to beg from poor people for office.
No. I've never liked asking poor people to vote for me.
i dont like begging from poor ppl
You must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.
You should understand that if we give you our support, we expect to gain something from you.
You should know that if we're voting for you, we expect you to do something for us.
u gotta do something for us in return
Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’ consulship?
So what's the price of this position? What do you want from me?
So what's the going rate? What do you want?
whats the price then?
The price is to ask it kindly.
The price is simply to ask for it politely.
Just ask nicely.
be polite when asking
Kindly, sir, I pray, let me ha’t. I have wounds to show you, which
shall be yours in private.—Your good voice, sir. What say you?
Politely, sir? Fine, then. I have wounds to show you privately. Give me your vote, sir. What do you say?
Nicely, sir? Okay then. I've got wounds I can show you privately. Give me your vote. What do you think?
ok i got wounds to show. vote for me?
Scene 2-3 opens with the citizens genuinely inclined to give Coriolanus their votes. They respect his military service and his refusal to flatter them is, to some, actually impressive — it shows he doesn't regard them as fools to be managed. What changes their minds is not Sicinius and Brutus lying about him, but their reframing of his visible contempt. The tribunes don't invent the contempt — they amplify it, name it, translate it. They show the citizens what they've already seen: that Coriolanus thinks them beneath him. The tribunes are not villains so much as they are interpreters — they simply read aloud what Coriolanus's body language is already saying. The citizens don't turn against him because they're easily manipulated; they turn against him because his contempt is genuine and visible.
You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.
You'll have it, worthy sir.
You got my vote, sir.
u got my vote
A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your
alms. Adieu.
It's a deal, sir. That's two good votes I've earned. I have what I came for. Goodbye.
Deal, sir. That's two votes. I got what I wanted. See you later.
good. two votes. bye
But this is something odd.
That's pretty strange behavior, though.
That's actually pretty weird.
thats kinda weird tho
An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter.
Well, if we had to do it again—but it doesn't matter now.
Yeah, if we had to vote again—but whatever.
if we did it again maybe different
Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may
be consul, I have here the customary gown.
I ask you now: if your votes will permit it, I would like to be consul. I have here the proper gown for it.
If you guys are okay with it, I'd like to be your consul. I've got the gown.
if u vote for me ill wear the gown
You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved
nobly.
You've earned great honor for your country, and you haven't earned it.
You've earned real glory for the country, and you also haven't.
u earned honor and u didnt?
Your enigma?
Your enigma?
Your enigma?
your enigma?
You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her
friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.
You've been a weapon against our enemies; you've been a weapon against our friends. You've never truly loved the common people.
You've beaten our enemies, but you've also beaten our friends. You don't actually care about regular people.
u beat enemies and friends. u dont love us
You should account me the more virtuous that I have not been common in
my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a
dearer estimation of them; ’tis a condition they account gentle. And
since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my
heart, I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most
counterfeitly. That is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some
popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech
you, I may be consul.
You should think of me as better because I haven't been common in my affection. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to gain more respect from them—it's something they consider polite. Since their wisdom prefers to see my hat rather than know my heart, I will practice the fake friendly nod and behave most falsely to them. That is, I will pretend to be like some popular politician and distribute fake warmth generously. Therefore, I ask you, let me be consul.
You should respect me more because I don't go around loving everyone equally. I'll butter up the people, my supposed brothers, to get more respect—that's what they think is nice. Since they'd rather see my hat than understand my heart, I'll smile and nod like a fake politician and pretend to like everyone. So please, let me be consul.
im more virtuous cuz i havent faked love i can fake it tho for consul please vote for me
We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices
heartily.
We hope to find you as our ally, and so we give you our votes freely.
We hope you'll be on our side, and that's why we're voting for you.
we hope ur our friend so we vote for u
You have received many wounds for your country.
You've suffered many wounds for your country.
You've been wounded a lot for us.
u got hurt for us
I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of
your voices and so trouble you no farther.
I won't prove it by showing them. I'll value your votes greatly and won't trouble you any further.
I'm not going to show you my scars. I'm grateful for your votes and I'll let you go.
wont show scars. thanks for votes. bye
The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.
The gods bless you, sir, truly.
May the gods bless you, sir, sincerely.
gods bless u
Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to’t.
What custom wills, in all things should we do’t?
The dust on antique time would lie unswept
And mountainous error be too highly heaped
For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffered, the other will I do.
Such wonderful voices! Better to die, better to starve, than to have to beg for the very honor I've already earned. Why should I stand here in this common cloak begging Hob and Dick for their meaningless endorsements? Custom demands this. But should we follow custom in everything? Then the wisdom of ancient times would be buried, and massive errors would tower too high for truth to see over. Rather than act like a fool this way, let that high office and honor go to someone willing to do it. I'm halfway through; I've suffered half of this, and I'll finish the other half.
What wonderful votes! It's better to die, better to starve, than to beg for honors I've already earned in war. Why am I standing here in this cheap cloak begging ordinary people for their worthless approval? This is just how it's done. But should we keep doing everything the old way? Then ancient wisdom would be forgotten and huge mistakes would tower over the truth. I'd rather not make a fool of myself like this. Let someone else who's willing to do it take the job. I've done the hard part, and I can do this part too.
id rather die than beg for what i earned but ok im half done i can finish this
Here come more voices.
Your voices! For your voices I have fought;
Watched for your voices; for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd. Battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
Done many things, some less, some more. Your voices!
Indeed, I would be consul.
Here come more of you seeking to vote. Your votes! For your votes I have fought; waited for your votes; for your votes I bear two dozen wounds. I've been in eighteen battles or heard about them; for your votes I've done many things, some less important, some more. Your votes! I truly do want to be consul.
Here comes another group looking for votes. Your votes! I've fought for your votes, waited for your votes, I'm carrying all these wounds for your votes. I've been in battle after battle for your votes. Done all kinds of things—some big, some small—all for your votes. Your votes! Yeah, I genuinely want to be consul.
more ppl for votes i fought for ur votes bleeding for ur votes battle after battle whatever it takes for ur votes i want to be consul
He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.
He's earned great honor, and no honest person could refuse to vote for him.
He's done amazingly, and any good person would vote for him.
he earned it. any honest guy would vote
Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good
friend to the people!
So let him be consul. May the gods give him happiness and make him care about the people!
So make him consul. May the gods make him happy and make him love us!
make him consul. may he care about us
Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.
Yes, yes. God protect you, noble consul.
Yes, yes. God bless you, great consul.
yes. bless u consul
Worthy voices!
Worthy voices!
Worthy voices!
worthy voices!
You have stood your limitation, and the Tribunes
Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
That in th’ official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the Senate.
You've completed the required process, and the Tribunes grant you the people's voice. Now you must go meet the Senate.
You've done what you need to do, and we're giving you the people's vote. Now go meet the Senate.
u got the votes. go meet senate
Is this done?
Is this done?
Is this done?
is this done?
The custom of request you have discharged.
The people do admit you, and are summoned
To meet anon upon your approbation.
You've fulfilled the custom of asking. The people accept you, and they've been called to meet when you're approved.
You've done the traditional thing. The people accept you, and they'll meet when you're confirmed.
ppl accept u. theyll meet when u approved
Where? At the Senate House?
Where? In the Senate House?
The Senate building?
at the senate?
There, Coriolanus.
There, Coriolanus.
There, Coriolanus.
there, coriolanus.
May I change these garments?
Can I change out of these clothes?
Can I get out of these clothes?
can i change?
You may, sir.
You may, sir.
You may, sir.
you may, sir.
That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again,
Repair to th’ Senate House.
I'll do that right away and, once I'm dressed properly, go to the Senate House.
I'll change right now and head to the Senate House.
ill change and go
I’ll keep you company.—Will you along?
I'll go with you. Will you come along?
I'll keep you company. You coming?
ill come with u
We stay here for the people.
We're staying here for the people.
We're staying here with the people.
we stay here
The central tragedy of 2-3 is that the gown of humility is supposed to perform a lie, and Coriolanus cannot perform it. Other men have worn the gown, shown their wounds, and asked for approval while despising the people — that's the normal corruption of politics. But Coriolanus is congenitally incapable of pretense. Every smile is a sneer, every polite phrase carries an undertone of contempt. His honesty is his undoing. The play suggests that politics requires a certain baseline dishonesty — the ability to perform respect you don't feel, gratitude you don't experience. Coriolanus refuses this baseline, and it costs him everything. He's too honest for the system, too authentic for democratic ritual. His authenticity is interpreted as arrogance because it is arrogance — but it's arrogance that won't hide itself.
Fare you well.
Goodbye.
Take care.
bye
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
’Tis warm at his heart.
He has it now; and from the look on his face, I'd say it warms his heart.
He's got what he wanted now; and the way he's looking, you can tell he's happy about it.
he got it looks happy
With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?
He wore his humble clothes with a proud heart. Will you send the people away?
He wore that humble outfit like he was king. Should we dismiss the people?
he wore it with pride. dismiss them?
How now, my masters, have you chose this man?
So, common folk, have you chosen this man?
So, people, did you pick this guy?
so u picked him?
He has our voices, sir.
He has our votes, sir.
He's got our votes.
he got our votes
We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.
We pray the gods grant that he deserves your affection.
We hope the gods make him worthy of your love.
hope he deserves ur love
Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice,
He mocked us when he begged our voices.
Yes, sir. From my understanding, he mocked us when he was asking for our votes.
Yeah, sir. To me, he was making fun of us while asking for our votes.
he mocked us when asking
Certainly, he flouted us downright.
For sure, he insulted us directly.
Yeah, he definitely insulted us.
total disrespect
No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.
No, that's just his way of speaking. He didn't mock us.
No, that's just how he talks. He wasn't mocking us.
no its just how he talks
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully. He should have showed us
His marks of merit, wounds received for’s country.
Everyone except you is saying he treated us with contempt. He should have shown us his wounds—his battle scars earned for his country.
Everyone but you says he was rude to us. He should have shown us his scars from fighting for us.
everyone says he was mean. should show scars
Why, so he did, I am sure.
Well, that's what I'm sure he did.
Well, that's what he definitely did.
yeah he did do that
No, no. No man saw ’em.
No, no. Nobody saw them.
No way. Nobody actually saw his wounds.
no one saw them
He said he had wounds, which he could show in private,
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
“I would be consul,” says he; “aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.” When we granted that,
Here was “I thank you for your voices. Thank you.
Your most sweet voices! Now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you.” Was not this mockery?
He said he had wounds which he could show in private, and waving his hat in mockery, he said 'I would be consul,' he said; 'custom requires I follow this tradition, but with your votes; your votes therefore.' When we agreed to that, he said 'I thank you for your votes. Thank you. Your most wonderful voices! Now that you've given your votes, I'm done with you.' Wasn't that mocking?
He said he had wounds he could show privately. Then he waved his hat like he was joking and said 'I want to be consul, but only because of your votes; so, give me your votes.' Then when we did, he was like 'Thanks for your votes. Thanks. Wonderful votes! Now that you've voted, I'm done with you.' Wasn't that making fun of us?
he mocked us: 'ill show wounds privately' 'give me ur votes' then 'thanks bye. done with u' thats mocking
Why either were you ignorant to see’t
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?
Why either didn't you notice it, or, seeing it, were you so simple-minded that you'd just go along with it?
So either you're blind, or you saw it and were too dumb to care?
so u didnt see or didnt care?
Could you not have told him
As you were lessoned? When he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I’ th’ body of the weal; and, now arriving
A place of potency and sway o’ th’ state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th’ plebeii, your voices might
Be curses to yourselves. You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.
Couldn't you have told him, as we instructed you? When he was powerless and just a servant to the state, he spoke against your rights and freedoms. Now that he's reached a position of power and influence in government, if he remains hostile to the common people, your votes could become curses against yourselves. You should have said that his worthy deeds demand his gracious nature will think of you for your votes, and he'll turn his hostility toward you into friendship, becoming your loyal leader.
Why didn't you tell him what we taught you? When he was nobody, he was against you. Now he has power. If he stays your enemy, your votes will hurt you. You should have told him his great deeds mean his good nature will remember you favorably, and he'll stop hating you and start helping you.
why didnt u use what we taught u? he was against u when weak now hes strong. he'll still hate u. you should've made him promise to help
Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him plucked
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had called you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
You should have ta’en th’ advantage of his choler
And passed him unelected.
If you'd said that, as we prepared you to, you would have tested his spirit and seen his true feelings. You might have gotten his sincere promise, which you could later hold him to. Or else it would have angered his stubborn nature, which doesn't tolerate conditions. By making him angry this way, you should have taken advantage of his rage and voted against his election.
If you'd said what we told you, you would have seen what he's really like. You might have gotten him to promise something to you, or you could have made him so mad that he'd refuse and you wouldn't have voted for him.
if u said it hed promise or hed get mad and refuse either way better than voting yes
Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?
Did you see that he was asking you with total contempt when he needed your votes? Don't you think that his contempt will crush you when he has power to do it? Why, didn't you have any heart? Or did you lose the ability to think clearly?
You saw he was treating you like dirt while asking for your help, right? You think that's going to change now that he's got power? Didn't you have any sense at all?
he disrespected u asking for votes wont he crush u when powerful? where was ur brain?
Have you ere now denied the asker, and now
Again, of him that did not ask but mock,
Bestow your sued-for tongues?
Haven't you refused people before who asked politely? Now you're giving your hard-won vote to someone who didn't ask but mocked you?
Haven't you refused people who asked nicely before? Now you're voting for a guy who made fun of you?
u refused nice ppl before now voting for a mocker?
He’s not confirmed.
We may deny him yet.
He hasn't been confirmed yet. We can still deny him.
He's not confirmed yet. We can still vote against him.
hes not confirmed yet. we can deny
And will deny him.
I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.
And we will deny him. I'll get five hundred votes like ours to do it.
And we will. I can get five hundred people to vote against him.
we will. i got 500 votes against
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.
I have double that many, plus their supporters.
I've got a thousand, plus all their friends.
i got 1000 plus support
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties, make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefore kept to do so.
Go right now and tell your allies they've chosen a consul who will strip away their liberties, make them voiceless like dogs that are beaten as often for barking as they're kept to do it.
Go right now and tell your friends they've picked a consul who's going to take away their rights. He'll silence them like dogs—they get hit whether they bark or not.
tell ppl they chose a consul whos gonna take rights and silence them like beaten dogs
Let them assemble
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election. Enforce his pride
And his old hate unto you. Besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
How in his suit he scorned you; but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
Th’ apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Let them meet and think this over carefully, then take back your vote. Remember his pride and his old hatred for you. Also, don't forget how scornfully he wore the humble gown, how he treated your request for votes with contempt. But your affection for his service made you overlook how he's actually behaving now, which he's performed in a mocking, ungraceful way that comes from the deep hatred he's always had for you.
Let them gather and reconsider and change your votes. Think about his arrogance and how much he hates you. Remember how much he hated wearing that humble outfit and how rude he was when you asked him for votes. You only voted for him because you remembered his service, but you're ignoring how he's really acting—all fake and disrespectful and full of his hatred for you.
gather up and change ur votes remember his pride and hate he wore the gown with contempt he disrespected u remember that not just his service
Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes, that we laboured,
No impediment between, but that you must
Cast your election on him.
Blame it on us, your tribunes, that we didn't prevent you from voting for him without obstruction.
Blame us, the tribunes. We should have stopped you from voting for him.
blame us. we should have stopped u
Say you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections, and that your minds,
Preoccupied with what you rather must do
Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul. Lay the fault on us.
Say you chose him more because we ordered you than because you truly wanted to. Say your minds were so focused on what you had to do that you acted against your own nature to vote for him consul. Blame us for it.
Say you only voted for him because we told you to, not because you wanted to. Say you were forced to vote against what you actually believe. Blame us.
say u voted cuz we ordered u not ur real choice blame us
Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o’ th’ Martians, from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numa’s daughter’s son,
Who, after great Hostilius here was king,
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, that was so surnamed,
And nobly named so, twice being censor,
Was his great ancestor.
Yes, don't hold back. Say we gave you lectures about how young he was when he started fighting for Rome, how long he's served, what noble family he comes from—the Martian house, which gave us Ancus Martius, Numa's grandson, who became king after the great Hostilius. From that same house came Publius and Quintus, who built the water systems that bring water here to us. And Censorinus, who was honored for it, served twice as censor and was his great ancestor.
Yes, go ahead. Say we told you he started fighting young, served a long time, and comes from a great family—the Martians. That's Numa's grandson's family, who was king, and from them came the guys who built the water systems we use. Censorinus served as censor twice and was his ancestor.
we told u hes from great family ancestors built water systems his ancestors were important
One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances; but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he’s your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.
One from such a distinguished line, who has also proven himself through his deeds and earned a position of power and influence, we recommended to your remembrance. But when you look at his past accomplishments and compare them to his current behavior, you can see he's your permanent enemy. Withdraw your sudden approval now.
We recommended someone from such an important family, someone who's earned power. But when you look at who he really is now compared to what he's done, you see he hates you. Change your vote.
we said hed earned it but looking at him now vs his past he hates u. take back vote
Say you ne’er had done’t—
Harp on that still—but by our putting on.
And presently when you have drawn your number,
Repair to th’ Capitol.
Say you never did it—keep saying that—except that we pushed you into it. Once you've gathered your number, go to the Capitol.
Say you never would have done it except we forced you. Get everyone together and go to the Capitol.
say we forced u. gather up and go to capitol
We will so. Almost all
Repent in their election.
We will. Most everyone regrets their vote now.
We will. Almost everyone's changing their mind.
we will. most regret voting yes
Let them go on.
This mutiny were better put in hazard
Than stay, past doubt, for greater.
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger.
Let them go on with this. It's better to risk this uprising now than to wait for a much bigger one later. If he reacts with rage to their refusal, as his nature would have him do, both watch carefully and respond to his anger. Take advantage of his temper.
Let them do this. It's better to deal with this problem now than to wait for something worse later. If he gets angry when they refuse, which he probably will, watch him and use his anger against him.
let them do it now better than waiting for worse if he rages use his anger
To th’ Capitol, come.
We will be there before the stream o’ th’ people,
And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward.
Let's go to the Capitol. We'll get there before the crowd, and this will look like it came from them, which in a way it did—but we've secretly pushed them there.
Let's head to the Capitol. We'll beat them there, so it'll look like they started this—even though we've been steering them all along.
go to capitol. well get there first so it looks like theyre doing it
The Reckoning
Scene 2-3 is the play's hinge: the moment Coriolanus's refusal to perform humility becomes active contempt, and the moment the tribunes successfully deploy that contempt against him. The citizens are inclined to give him their votes out of respect for his service. The tribunes don't change their minds — Coriolanus does it himself, by speaking exactly what he thinks. This is the play's crucial observation: the people aren't inherently against him, but they have tribunes who know how to turn their gratitude into resentment by showing them his disdain.
If this happened today…
A war hero appears at a town hall wearing a suit instead of his uniform. He's supposed to say a few gracious things, shake hands, thank them for their support. But he keeps muttering asides — 'this gown is stupid,' 'I hate this room,' 'why are these people here' — loud enough for them to hear. The crowd hears his contempt through the flattery. By the time he speaks openly, they're angry. He lost a sure thing by being honest about how much he despises the process.