← 3.1
Act 3, Scene 2 — Rome. A room in Coriolanus’s house
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The argument In Coriolanus's house, he learns the people have revoked their votes. Volumnia arrives and accuses him of throwing away the consulship through stubbornness. She commands him to return to the Forum, make peace with the tribunes, and show the people gentleness. Coriolanus resists — she asks him to be false to his nature. He finally agrees to try, but with deep reluctance.
Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.
CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

Let them pull all about mine ears, present me

Death on the wheel or at wild horses’ heels,

Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,

That the precipitation might down stretch

Below the beam of sight, yet will I still

Be thus to them.

Let them pull all about mine ears, present me Death on the wheel or at wild horses’ heels, Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, That the precipitation might down stretch Below the beam of sight, yet will I still Be thus to them.

Let them pull all about mine ears, present me Death on the wheel or at wild horses’ heels, Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, That the precipitation might down stretch Below the beam of sight, yet will I still Be thus to them.

let them pull all about mine ears, present me death on the w

FIRST PATRICIAN [FIRST PATRICIAN]

You do the nobler.

You do the nobler.

You do the nobler.

you do the nobler.

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

I muse my mother

Does not approve me further, who was wont

To call them woollen vassals, things created

To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads

In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder

When one but of my ordinance stood up

To speak of peace or war.

I muse my mother Does not approve me further, who was wont To call them woollen vassals, things created To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder When one but of my ordinance stood up To speak of peace or war.

I muse my mother Does not approve me further, who was wont To call them woollen vassals, things created To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder When one but of my ordinance stood up To speak of peace or war.

i muse my mother does not approve me further, who was wont t

Enter Volumnia.
I talk of you.
Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say I play
The man I am.
VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

O, sir, sir, sir,

I would have had you put your power well on

Before you had worn it out.

O, sir, sir, sir, I would have had you put your power well on Before you had worn it out.

O, sir, sir, sir, I would have had you put your power well on Before you had worn it out.

o, sir, sir, sir, i would have had you put your power well o

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Let go.

Let go.

Let go.

let go.

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

You might have been enough the man you are

With striving less to be so. Lesser had been

The thwartings of your dispositions if

You had not showed them how ye were disposed

Ere they lacked power to cross you.

You might have been enough the man you are With striving less to be so. Lesser had been The thwartings of your dispositions if You had not showed them how ye were disposed Ere they lacked power to cross you.

You might have been enough the man you are With striving less to be so. Lesser had been The thwartings of your dispositions if You had not showed them how ye were disposed Ere they lacked power to cross you.

you might have been enough the man you are with striving les

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Let them hang!

Let them hang!

Let them hang!

let them hang!

VOLUMNIA [VOLUMNIA]

Ay, and burn too.

Ay, and burn too.

Ay, and burn too.

ay, and burn too.

Enter Menenius with the Senators.
MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough.

You must return and mend it.

Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough. You must return and mend it.

Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough. You must return and mend it.

come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough. yo

FIRST SENATOR ≋ verse [FIRST SENATOR]

There’s no remedy,

Unless, by not so doing, our good city

Cleave in the midst and perish.

There’s no remedy, Unless, by not so doing, our good city Cleave in the midst and perish.

There’s no remedy, Unless, by not so doing, our good city Cleave in the midst and perish.

there’s no remedy, unless, by not so doing, our good city cl

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

Pray be counselled.

I have a heart as little apt as yours,

But yet a brain that leads my use of anger

To better vantage.

Pray be counselled. I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain that leads my use of anger To better vantage.

Pray be counselled. I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain that leads my use of anger To better vantage.

pray be counselled. i have a heart as little apt as yours, b

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Well said, noble woman.

Before he should thus stoop to th’ herd—but that

The violent fit o’ th’ time craves it as physic

For the whole state—I would put mine armour on,

Which I can scarcely bear.

Well said, noble woman. Before he should thus stoop to th’ herd—but that The violent fit o’ th’ time craves it as physic For the whole state—I would put mine armour on, Which I can scarcely bear.

Well said, noble woman. Before he should thus stoop to th’ herd—but that The violent fit o’ th’ time craves it as physic For the whole state—I would put mine armour on, Which I can scarcely bear.

well said, noble woman. before he should thus stoop to th’ h

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

What must I do?

What must I do?

What must I do?

what must i do?

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

Return to th’ Tribunes.

Return to th’ Tribunes.

Return to th’ Tribunes.

return to th’ tribunes.

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Well, what then? What then?

Well, what then? What then?

Well, what then? What then?

well, what then? what then?

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

Repent what you have spoke.

Repent what you have spoke.

Repent what you have spoke.

repent what you have spoke.

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

For them? I cannot do it to the gods.

Must I then do’t to them?

For them? I cannot do it to the gods. Must I then do’t to them?

For them? I cannot do it to the gods. Must I then do’t to them?

for them? i cannot do it to the gods. must i then do’t to th

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

You are too absolute,

Though therein you can never be too noble

But when extremities speak. I have heard you say

Honour and policy, like unsevered friends,

I’ th’ war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me

In peace what each of them by th’ other lose

That they combine not there.

You are too absolute, Though therein you can never be too noble But when extremities speak. I have heard you say Honour and policy, like unsevered friends, I’ th’ war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me In peace what each of them by th’ other lose That they combine not there.

You are too absolute, Though therein you can never be too noble But when extremities speak. I have heard you say Honour and policy, like unsevered friends, I’ th’ war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me In peace what each of them by th’ other lose That they combine not there.

you are too absolute, though therein you can never be too no

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Tush, tush!

Tush, tush!

Tush, tush!

tush, tush!

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

A good demand.

A good demand.

A good demand.

a good demand.

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

If it be honour in your wars to seem

The same you are not, which for your best ends

You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse

That it shall hold companionship in peace

With honour as in war, since that to both

It stands in like request?

If it be honour in your wars to seem The same you are not, which for your best ends You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour as in war, since that to both It stands in like request?

If it be honour in your wars to seem The same you are not, which for your best ends You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour as in war, since that to both It stands in like request?

if it be honour in your wars to seem the same you are not, w

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Why force you this?

Why force you this?

Why force you this?

why force you this?

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

Because that now it lies you on to speak

To th’ people, not by your own instruction,

Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you,

But with such words that are but rooted in

Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables

Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth.

Now, this no more dishonours you at all

Than to take in a town with gentle words,

Which else would put you to your fortune and

The hazard of much blood.

I would dissemble with my nature where

My fortunes and my friends at stake required

I should do so in honour. I am in this

Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;

And you will rather show our general louts

How you can frown than spend a fawn upon ’em

For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard

Of what that want might ruin.

Because that now it lies you on to speak To th’ people, not by your own instruction, Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you, But with such words that are but rooted in Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth. Now, this no more dishonours you at all Than to take in a town with gentle words, Which else would put you to your fortune and The hazard of much blood. I would dissemble with my nature where My fortunes and my friends at stake required I should do so in honour. I am in this Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; And you will rather show our general louts How you can frown than spend a fawn upon ’em For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard Of what that want might ruin.

Because that now it lies you on to speak To th’ people, not by your own instruction, Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you, But with such words that are but rooted in Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth. Now, this no more dishonours you at all Than to take in a town with gentle words, Which else would put you to your fortune and The hazard of much blood. I would dissemble with my nature where My fortunes and my friends at stake required I should do so in honour. I am in this Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; And you will rather show our general louts How you can frown than spend a fawn upon ’em For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard Of what that want might ruin.

because that now it lies you on to speak to th’ people, not

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Noble lady!—

Come, go with us; speak fair. You may salve so,

Not what is dangerous present, but the loss

Of what is past.

Noble lady!— Come, go with us; speak fair. You may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss Of what is past.

Noble lady!— Come, go with us; speak fair. You may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss Of what is past.

noble lady!— come, go with us; speak fair. you may salve so,

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

I prithee now, my son,

Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand,

And thus far having stretched it—here be with them—

Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such busines

Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant

More learned than the ears—waving thy head,

Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,

Now humble as the ripest mulberry

That will not hold the handling. Or say to them

Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils,

Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess

Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim,

In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame

Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far

As thou hast power and person.

I prithee now, my son, Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand, And thus far having stretched it—here be with them— Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such busines Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant More learned than the ears—waving thy head, Which often thus correcting thy stout heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling. Or say to them Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils, Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person.

I prithee now, my son, Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand, And thus far having stretched it—here be with them— Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such busines Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant More learned than the ears—waving thy head, Which often thus correcting thy stout heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling. Or say to them Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils, Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person.

i prithee now, my son, go to them with this bonnet in thy ha

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

This but done

Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;

For they have pardons, being asked, as free

As words to little purpose.

This but done Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; For they have pardons, being asked, as free As words to little purpose.

This but done Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; For they have pardons, being asked, as free As words to little purpose.

this but done even as she speaks, why, their hearts were you

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

Prithee now,

Go, and be ruled; although I know thou hadst rather

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf

Than flatter him in a bower.

Prithee now, Go, and be ruled; although I know thou hadst rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower.

Prithee now, Go, and be ruled; although I know thou hadst rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower.

prithee now, go, and be ruled; although i know thou hadst ra

Enter Cominius.
Here is Cominius.
COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

I have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit

You make strong party or defend yourself

By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger.

I have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit You make strong party or defend yourself By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger.

I have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit You make strong party or defend yourself By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger.

i have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit you make

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

Only fair speech.

Only fair speech.

Only fair speech.

only fair speech.

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

I think ’twill serve, if he

Can thereto frame his spirit.

I think ’twill serve, if he Can thereto frame his spirit.

I think ’twill serve, if he Can thereto frame his spirit.

i think ’twill serve, if he can thereto frame his spirit.

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

He must, and will.—

Prithee, now, say you will, and go about it.

He must, and will.— Prithee, now, say you will, and go about it.

He must, and will.— Prithee, now, say you will, and go about it.

he must, and will.— prithee, now, say you will, and go about

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I

With my base tongue give to my noble heart

A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t.

Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,

This mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it

And throw’t against the wind. To th’ marketplace!

You have put me now to such a part which never

I shall discharge to th’ life.

Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I With my base tongue give to my noble heart A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t. Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, This mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it And throw’t against the wind. To th’ marketplace! You have put me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to th’ life.

Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I With my base tongue give to my noble heart A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t. Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, This mould of Martius, they to dust should grind it And throw’t against the wind. To th’ marketplace! You have put me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to th’ life.

must i go show them my unbarbed sconce? must i with my base

COMINIUS [COMINIUS]

Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

come, come, we’ll prompt you.

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said

My praises made thee first a soldier, so,

To have my praise for this, perform a part

Thou hast not done before.

I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not done before.

I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not done before.

i prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said my praises made

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

Well, I must do’t.

Away, my disposition, and possess me

Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turned,

Which choired with my drum, into a pipe

Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice

That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves

Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up

The glasses of my sight! A beggar’s tongue

Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,

Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his

That hath received an alms! I will not do’t,

Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth

And, by my body’s action, teach my mind

A most inherent baseness.

Well, I must do’t. Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turned, Which choired with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up The glasses of my sight! A beggar’s tongue Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees, Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath received an alms! I will not do’t, Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth And, by my body’s action, teach my mind A most inherent baseness.

Well, I must do’t. Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turned, Which choired with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up The glasses of my sight! A beggar’s tongue Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees, Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath received an alms! I will not do’t, Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth And, by my body’s action, teach my mind A most inherent baseness.

well, i must do’t. away, my disposition, and possess me some

VOLUMNIA ≋ verse [VOLUMNIA]

At thy choice, then.

To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour

Than thou of them. Come all to ruin. Let

Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear

Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death

With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.

Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck’dst it from me,

But owe thy pride thyself.

At thy choice, then. To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour Than thou of them. Come all to ruin. Let Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list. Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck’dst it from me, But owe thy pride thyself.

At thy choice, then. To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour Than thou of them. Come all to ruin. Let Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list. Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck’dst it from me, But owe thy pride thyself.

at thy choice, then. to beg of thee, it is my more dishonour

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

Pray, be content.

Mother, I am going to the marketplace.

Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves,

Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved

Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going.

Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul,

Or never trust to what my tongue can do

I’ th’ way of flattery further.

Pray, be content. Mother, I am going to the marketplace. Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going. Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul, Or never trust to what my tongue can do I’ th’ way of flattery further.

Pray, be content. Mother, I am going to the marketplace. Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going. Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul, Or never trust to what my tongue can do I’ th’ way of flattery further.

pray, be content. mother, i am going to the marketplace. chi

VOLUMNIA [VOLUMNIA]

Do your will.

Do your will.

Do your will.

do your will.

[_Exit Volumnia._]
COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

Away! The Tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself

To answer mildly, for they are prepared

With accusations, as I hear, more strong

Than are upon you yet.

Away! The Tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself To answer mildly, for they are prepared With accusations, as I hear, more strong Than are upon you yet.

Away! The Tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself To answer mildly, for they are prepared With accusations, as I hear, more strong Than are upon you yet.

away! the tribunes do attend you. arm yourself to answer mil

CORIOLANUS ≋ verse [CORIOLANUS]

The word is “mildly.” Pray you, let us go.

Let them accuse me by invention, I

Will answer in mine honour.

The word is “mildly.” Pray you, let us go. Let them accuse me by invention, I Will answer in mine honour.

The word is “mildly.” Pray you, let us go. Let them accuse me by invention, I Will answer in mine honour.

the word is “mildly.” pray you, let us go. let them accuse m

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

Ay, but mildly.

Ay, but mildly.

Ay, but mildly.

ay, but mildly.

CORIOLANUS [CORIOLANUS]

Well, mildly be it, then. Mildly.

Well, mildly be it, then. Mildly.

Well, mildly be it, then. Mildly.

well, mildly be it, then. mildly.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

Scene 3-2 is the play's emotional centre: the moment where Coriolanus is forced to choose between integrity and survival, and chooses neither. He agrees to act gentle and conciliatory to the people — but he will do it like an actor playing a part, not like a man genuinely changing his mind. Volumnia's argument — that he can preserve his real nature while performing gentleness — will prove impossible. You cannot play contempt while pretending respect. The scene shows the limits of Volumnia's power: she can force his compliance, but she cannot make him capable of the performance she's demanding.

If this happened today…

A mother tells her son: you just blew your job offer because you were rude. Go back, apologize, be nice, show respect. The son says: I can't fake it, I hate them. The mother says: fake it. Do it for me. He says okay. But they both know he's terrible at lying. He agrees to try but the second he walks into that room, his contempt will show. And it will.

Continue to 3.3 →