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 can refuse him if we want to, sir.

But we can say no if we want to.

we can refuse

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 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'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

Do you really think so? Which way do you think my mind would go?

Yeah? Where would mine go?

where would mine go

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 south?

why

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 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 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

Content, content.

Content, content.

content, content.

O sir, you are not right. Have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?

O sir, you are not right. Have you not known The worthiest men have done’t?

o sir, you are not right. have you not known the worthiest m

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 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 must i say? “i pray, sir”—plague upon’t! i cannot bring

O me, the gods! You must not speak of that. You must desire them To think upon you.

O me, the gods! You must not speak of that. You must desire them To think upon you.

o me, the gods! you must not speak of that. you must desire

Think upon me! Hang ’em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by ’em.

Think upon me! Hang ’em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by ’em.

think upon me! hang ’em! i would they would forget me, like

You’ll mar all. I’ll leave you. Pray you speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.

You’ll mar all. I’ll leave you. Pray you speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.

you’ll mar all. i’ll leave you. pray you speak to ’em, i pra

Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean.

Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean.

bid them wash their faces and keep their teeth clean.

We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.

We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.

we do, sir. tell us what hath brought you to’t.

Mine own desert.

Mine own desert.

mine own desert.

Your own desert?

Your own desert?

your own desert?

Ay, but not mine own desire.

Ay, but not mine own desire.

ay, but not mine own desire.

How, not your own desire?

How, not your own desire?

how, not your own desire?

No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.

No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.

no, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with

You must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

You must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

you must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by y

Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’ consulship?

Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’ consulship?

well then, i pray, your price o’ th’ consulship?

The price is to ask it kindly.

The price is to ask it kindly.

the price is to ask it kindly.

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?

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?

kindly, sir, i pray, let me ha’t. i have wounds to show you,

You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.

You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.

you shall ha’ it, worthy sir.

A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.

A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.

a match, sir. there’s in all two worthy voices begged. i hav

But this is something odd.

But this is something odd.

but this is something odd.

An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter.

An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter.

an ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter.

Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices t

You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.

You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.

you have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not de

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 have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.

you have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod

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 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 account me the more virtuous that i have not been

We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily.

We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily.

we hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our v

You have received many wounds for your country.

You have received many wounds for your country.

you have received many wounds for your country.

I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices and so trouble you no farther.

I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices and so trouble you no farther.

i will not seal your knowledge with showing them. i will mak

The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

the gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

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.

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.

most sweet voices! better it is to die, better to starve, th

He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.

He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.

he has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s vo

Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

therefore let him be consul. the gods give him joy, and make

Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

amen, amen. god save thee, noble consul.

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 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 have stood your limitation, and the tribunes endue you w

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.

The custom of request you have discharged. The people do admit you, and are summoned To meet anon upon your approbation.

the custom of request you have discharged. the people do adm

Where? At the Senate House?

Where? At the Senate House?

where? at the senate house?

There, Coriolanus.

There, Coriolanus.

there, coriolanus.

May I change these garments?

May I change these garments?

may i change these garments?

You may, sir.

You may, sir.

you may, sir.

That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again, Repair to th’ Senate House.

That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again, Repair to th’ Senate House.

that i’ll straight do and, knowing myself again, repair to t

I’ll keep you company.—Will you along?

I’ll keep you company.—Will you along?

i’ll keep you company.—will you along?

We stay here for the people.

We stay here for the people.

we stay here for the people.

Fare you well.

Fare you well.

fare you well.

With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?

With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?

with a proud heart he wore his humble weeds. will you dismis

How now, my masters, have you chose this man?

How now, my masters, have you chose this man?

how now, my masters, have you chose this man?

He has our voices, sir.

He has our voices, sir.

he has our voices, sir.

We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

we pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice, He mocked us when he begged our voices.

Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice, He mocked us when he begged our voices.

amen, sir. to my poor unworthy notice, he mocked us when he

Certainly, he flouted us downright.

Certainly, he flouted us downright.

certainly, he flouted us downright.

No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.

No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.

no, ’tis his kind of speech. he did not mock us.

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.

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.

not one amongst us, save yourself, but says he used us scorn

Why, so he did, I am sure.

Why, so he did, I am sure.

why, so he did, i am sure.

No, no. No man saw ’em.

No, no. No man saw ’em.

no, no. no man saw ’em.

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 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 w

Why either were you ignorant to see’t Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices?

Why either were you ignorant to see’t Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices?

why either were you ignorant to see’t or, seeing it, of such

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.

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.

could you not have told him as you were lessoned? when he ha

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.

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.

thus to have said, as you were fore-advised, had touched his

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 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 perceive he did solicit you in free contempt when he

Have you ere now denied the asker, and now Again, of him that did not ask but mock, Bestow your sued-for tongues?

Have you ere now denied the asker, and now Again, of him that did not ask but mock, Bestow your sued-for tongues?

have you ere now denied the asker, and now again, of him tha

He’s not confirmed. We may deny him yet.

He’s not confirmed. We may deny him yet.

he’s not confirmed. we may deny him yet.

And will deny him. I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.

And will deny him. I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.

and will deny him. i’ll have five hundred voices of that sou

I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.

I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.

i twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.

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.

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.

get you hence instantly, and tell those friends they have ch

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 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 assemble and, on a safer judgment, all revoke your

Lay A fault on us, your tribunes, that we laboured, No impediment between, but that you must Cast your election on him.

Lay A fault on us, your tribunes, that we laboured, No impediment between, but that you must Cast your election on him.

lay a fault on us, your tribunes, that we laboured, no imped

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 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 after our commandment than as guided

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.

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.

ay, spare us not. say we read lectures to you, how youngly h

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 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 thus descended, that hath beside well in his person wrou

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 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 ne’er had done’t— harp on that still—but by our putt

We will so. Almost all Repent in their election.

We will so. Almost all Repent in their election.

we will so. almost all repent in their election.

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. 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. this mutiny were better put in hazard than s

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.

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.

to th’ capitol, come. we will be there before the stream o’