Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Author:William Shakespeare [Shakespeare, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-58836-881-2
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

Lines 1–157: Roman citizens are preparing to mutiny over recent food shortages, believing that the patricians are hoarding corn and charging high prices for it. One citizen urges them all “rather to die than to famish,” and the crowd agrees. He tells them that Caius Martius (later Coriolanus) is “chief enemy to the people,” and again the crowd agrees. Another citizen says they must acknowledge Martius’ reputation as a war hero, but the First Citizen argues that Martius “pays himself with being proud.” Shouts are heard and they realize that the “other side o’th’city is risen.” As they set off for the Capitol, they meet Menenius and tell him the senate has known of the people’s discontent for a fortnight and that they now intend to exchange “strong breaths” for “strong arms.” Menenius argues that the patricians have the “most charitable care” for them and tells them “a pretty tale”: an allegory about “a time when all the body’s members / Rebelled against the belly,” believing that it was hoarding all the food for itself, while they did all the work. The “belly” replied that it was “the storehouse and the shop / Of the whole body,” responsible for distributing the nutrition that enabled all the parts to work. They are interrupted by Martius.

Lines 158–259: Martius shows his contempt for the citizens, calling them “dissentious rogues” and “scabs.” He accuses them of being fickle, liking “nor peace nor war” and “call[ing] him noble that was now your hate.” Menenius explains that the citizens believe the “city is well stored” with grain, and Martius scornfully exclaims that the citizens know nothing: their beliefs are all stories told “by th’fire.” He reports that the other uprising has been quelled, and that the senate have allowed the citizens to choose “Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,” including Sicinius and Brutus. He expresses disapproval and tells the “fragments” of the crowd to go home. A messenger brings news that the Volsces are prepared for war, and Martius callously suggests that this will help rid Rome of the “musty superfluity” of citizens. Members of the senate arrive to confirm that war is imminent, and Martius mentions the leader of the Volsces, Tullus Aufidius, calling him a “lion.” A senator reminds Martius of his promise to serve as second to Cominius, and Martius says that he will be “constant” to this. The senators ask Cominius to lead them to the Capitol and the citizens disperse.

Lines 260–294: Sicinius and Brutus discuss Martius’ pride. Sicinius wonders that Martius’ “insolence can brook to be commanded / Under Cominius,” but Brutus points out that if they fail, Cominius will be blamed, but if it goes well, the credit will go to Martius.

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