← 4.5
Act 4, Scene 6 — Rome. A public place
on stage:
Next: 4.7 →
Original
Faithful Conversational Text-message
The argument The tribunes bask in the peace they've achieved — until news arrives that Coriolanus has joined Aufidius and is marching on Rome, and every character who warned them gets to say 'I told you so.'
Enter the two Tribunes. Sicinius and Brutus.
SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

We hear not of him, neither need we fear him.

His remedies are tame—the present peace,

And quietness of the people, which before

Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends

Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,

Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold

Dissentious numbers pest’ring streets than see

Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going

About their functions friendly.

We hear not of him, neither need we fear him. His remedies are tame—the present peace, And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends Blush that the world goes well, who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold Dissentious numbers pest’ring streets than see Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going About their functions friendly.

We hear not of him, neither need we fear him. His remedies are tame—the present peace, And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends Blush that the world goes well, who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold Dissentious numbers pest’ring streets than see Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going About their functions friendly.

we hear not of him, neither need we fear him. his remedies a

🎭 Dramatic irony The tribunes are congratulating themselves on Rome's peace in this very scene in which the audience knows Coriolanus has already joined Aufidius and the Volscian army is marching.
BRUTUS [BRUTUS]

We stood to’t in good time.

We stood to’t in good time.

We stood to’t in good time.

we stood to’t in good time.

Enter Menenius.
Is this Menenius?
SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

’Tis he, ’tis he. O, he is grown most kind

Of late.—Hail, sir!

’Tis he, ’tis he. O, he is grown most kind Of late.—Hail, sir!

’Tis he, ’tis he. O, he is grown most kind Of late.—Hail, sir!

’tis he, ’tis he. o, he is grown most kind of late.—hail, si

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

Hail to you both.

Hail to you both.

Hail to you both.

hail to you both.

SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

Your Coriolanus is not much missed

But with his friends. The commonwealth doth stand,

And so would do were he more angry at it.

Your Coriolanus is not much missed But with his friends. The commonwealth doth stand, And so would do were he more angry at it.

Your Coriolanus is not much missed But with his friends. The commonwealth doth stand, And so would do were he more angry at it.

your coriolanus is not much missed but with his friends. the

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

All’s well, and might have been much better if

He could have temporized.

All’s well, and might have been much better if He could have temporized.

All’s well, and might have been much better if He could have temporized.

all’s well, and might have been much better if he could have

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Where is he, hear you?

Where is he, hear you?

Where is he, hear you?

where is he, hear you?

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Nay, I hear nothing;

His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.

Nay, I hear nothing; His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.

Nay, I hear nothing; His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.

nay, i hear nothing; his mother and his wife hear nothing fr

Enter three or four Citizens.
ALL CITIZENS [ALL CITIZENS]

The gods preserve you both!

The gods preserve you both!

The gods preserve you both!

the gods preserve you both!

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Good e’en, our neighbours.

Good e’en, our neighbours.

Good e’en, our neighbours.

good e’en, our neighbours.

BRUTUS [BRUTUS]

Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

FIRST CITIZEN ≋ verse [FIRST CITIZEN]

Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees

Are bound to pray for you both.

Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees Are bound to pray for you both.

Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees Are bound to pray for you both.

ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees are bound t

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Live and thrive!

Live and thrive!

Live and thrive!

live and thrive!

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

Farewell, kind neighbours. We wished Coriolanus

Had loved you as we did.

Farewell, kind neighbours. We wished Coriolanus Had loved you as we did.

Farewell, kind neighbours. We wished Coriolanus Had loved you as we did.

farewell, kind neighbours. we wished coriolanus had loved yo

CITIZENS [CITIZENS]

Now the gods keep you!

Now the gods keep you!

Now the gods keep you!

now the gods keep you!

BOTH TRIBUNES [BOTH TRIBUNES]

Farewell, farewell.

Farewell, farewell.

Farewell, farewell.

farewell, farewell.

[_Exeunt Citizens._]
SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

This is a happier and more comely time

Than when these fellows ran about the streets

Crying confusion.

This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets Crying confusion.

This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets Crying confusion.

this is a happier and more comely time than when these fello

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

Caius Martius was

A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent,

O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking

Self-loving.

Caius Martius was A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent, O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking Self-loving.

Caius Martius was A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent, O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking Self-loving.

caius martius was a worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent,

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

and affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

I think not so.

I think not so.

I think not so.

i think not so.

SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

We should by this, to all our lamentation,

If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

we should by this, to all our lamentation, if he had gone fo

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

The gods have well prevented it, and Rome

Sits safe and still without him.

The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him.

The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him.

the gods have well prevented it, and rome sits safe and stil

↩ Callback to 3-3 Brutus's 'Rome sits safe and still without him' directly contradicts the reality now arriving — Coriolanus's absence from Rome has not made it safe but made it defenseless.
Enter an Aedile.
AEDILE ≋ verse [AEDILE]

Worthy tribunes,

There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,

Reports the Volsces with two several powers

Are entered in the Roman territories,

And with the deepest malice of the war

Destroy what lies before ’em.

Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, Reports the Volsces with two several powers Are entered in the Roman territories, And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before ’em.

Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, Reports the Volsces with two several powers Are entered in the Roman territories, And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before ’em.

worthy tribunes, there is a slave, whom we have put in priso

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

’Tis Aufidius,

Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment,

Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,

Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome,

And durst not once peep out.

’Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world, Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out.

’Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world, Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out.

’tis aufidius, who, hearing of our martius’ banishment, thru

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Come, what talk you of Martius?

Come, what talk you of Martius?

Come, what talk you of Martius?

come, what talk you of martius?

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

Go see this rumourer whipped. It cannot be

The Volsces dare break with us.

Go see this rumourer whipped. It cannot be The Volsces dare break with us.

Go see this rumourer whipped. It cannot be The Volsces dare break with us.

go see this rumourer whipped. it cannot be the volsces dare

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Cannot be?

We have record that very well it can,

And three examples of the like hath been

Within my age. But reason with the fellow

Before you punish him, where he heard this,

Lest you shall chance to whip your information

And beat the messenger who bids beware

Of what is to be dreaded.

Cannot be? We have record that very well it can, And three examples of the like hath been Within my age. But reason with the fellow Before you punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded.

Cannot be? We have record that very well it can, And three examples of the like hath been Within my age. But reason with the fellow Before you punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded.

cannot be? we have record that very well it can, and three e

SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

Tell not me.

I know this cannot be.

Tell not me. I know this cannot be.

Tell not me. I know this cannot be.

tell not me. i know this cannot be.

BRUTUS [BRUTUS]

Not possible.

Not possible.

Not possible.

not possible.

Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER ≋ verse [MESSENGER]

The nobles in great earnestness are going

All to the Senate House. Some news is coming

That turns their countenances.

The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the Senate House. Some news is coming That turns their countenances.

The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the Senate House. Some news is coming That turns their countenances.

the nobles in great earnestness are going all to the senate

SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

’Tis this slave—

Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his raising,

Nothing but his report.

’Tis this slave— Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his raising, Nothing but his report.

’Tis this slave— Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his raising, Nothing but his report.

’tis this slave— go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his rai

MESSENGER ≋ verse [MESSENGER]

Yes, worthy sir,

The slave’s report is seconded, and more,

More fearful, is delivered.

Yes, worthy sir, The slave’s report is seconded, and more, More fearful, is delivered.

Yes, worthy sir, The slave’s report is seconded, and more, More fearful, is delivered.

yes, worthy sir, the slave’s report is seconded, and more, m

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

What more fearful?

What more fearful?

What more fearful?

what more fearful?

MESSENGER ≋ verse [MESSENGER]

It is spoke freely out of many mouths—

How probable I do not know—that Martius,

Joined with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome

And vows revenge as spacious as between

The young’st and oldest thing.

It is spoke freely out of many mouths— How probable I do not know—that Martius, Joined with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome And vows revenge as spacious as between The young’st and oldest thing.

It is spoke freely out of many mouths— How probable I do not know—that Martius, Joined with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome And vows revenge as spacious as between The young’st and oldest thing.

it is spoke freely out of many mouths— how probable i do not

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

This is most likely!

This is most likely!

This is most likely!

this is most likely!

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

Raised only that the weaker sort may wish

Good Martius home again.

Raised only that the weaker sort may wish Good Martius home again.

Raised only that the weaker sort may wish Good Martius home again.

raised only that the weaker sort may wish good martius home

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

The very trick on ’t.

The very trick on ’t.

The very trick on ’t.

the very trick on ’t.

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

This is unlikely;

He and Aufidius can no more atone

Than violent’st contrariety.

This is unlikely; He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violent’st contrariety.

This is unlikely; He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violent’st contrariety.

this is unlikely; he and aufidius can no more atone than vio

Enter a Second Messenger.
SECOND MESSENGER ≋ verse [SECOND MESSENGER]

You are sent for to the Senate.

A fearful army, led by Caius Martius

Associated with Aufidius, rages

Upon our territories, and have already

O’erborne their way, consumed with fire and took

What lay before them.

You are sent for to the Senate. A fearful army, led by Caius Martius Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories, and have already O’erborne their way, consumed with fire and took What lay before them.

You are sent for to the Senate. A fearful army, led by Caius Martius Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories, and have already O’erborne their way, consumed with fire and took What lay before them.

you are sent for to the senate. a fearful army, led by caius

Enter Cominius.
COMINIUS [COMINIUS]

O, you have made good work!

O, you have made good work!

O, you have made good work!

o, you have made good work!

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

What news? What news?

What news? What news?

What news? What news?

what news? what news?

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

You have holp to ravish your own daughters and

To melt the city leads upon your pates,

To see your wives dishonoured to your noses—

You have holp to ravish your own daughters and To melt the city leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonoured to your noses—

You have holp to ravish your own daughters and To melt the city leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonoured to your noses—

you have holp to ravish your own daughters and to melt the c

MENENIUS [MENENIUS]

What’s the news? What’s the news?

What’s the news? What’s the news?

What’s the news? What’s the news?

what’s the news? what’s the news?

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

Your temples burned in their cement, and

Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined

Into an auger’s bore.

Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined Into an auger’s bore.

Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined Into an auger’s bore.

your temples burned in their cement, and your franchises, wh

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Pray now, your news?—

You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your news?

If Martius should be joined with Volscians—

Pray now, your news?— You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your news? If Martius should be joined with Volscians—

Pray now, your news?— You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your news? If Martius should be joined with Volscians—

pray now, your news?— you have made fair work, i fear me.—pr

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

If?

He is their god; he leads them like a thing

Made by some other deity than Nature,

That shapes man better; and they follow him

Against us brats with no less confidence

Than boys pursuing summer butterflies

Or butchers killing flies.

If? He is their god; he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than Nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him Against us brats with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies Or butchers killing flies.

If? He is their god; he leads them like a thing Made by some other deity than Nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him Against us brats with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies Or butchers killing flies.

if? he is their god; he leads them like a thing made by some

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

You have made good work,

You and your apron-men, you that stood so much

Upon the voice of occupation and

The breath of garlic eaters!

You have made good work, You and your apron-men, you that stood so much Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic eaters!

You have made good work, You and your apron-men, you that stood so much Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic eaters!

you have made good work, you and your apron-men, you that st

COMINIUS [COMINIUS]

He’ll shake your Rome about your ears.

He’ll shake your Rome about your ears.

He’ll shake your Rome about your ears.

he’ll shake your rome about your ears.

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit.

You have made fair work.

As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work.

As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work.

as hercules did shake down mellow fruit. you have made fair

BRUTUS [BRUTUS]

But is this true, sir?

But is this true, sir?

But is this true, sir?

but is this true, sir?

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

Ay, and you’ll look pale

Before you find it other. All the regions

Do smilingly revolt, and who resists

Are mocked for valiant ignorance

And perish constant fools. Who is’t can blame him?

Your enemies and his find something in him.

Ay, and you’ll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt, and who resists Are mocked for valiant ignorance And perish constant fools. Who is’t can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him.

Ay, and you’ll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt, and who resists Are mocked for valiant ignorance And perish constant fools. Who is’t can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him.

ay, and you’ll look pale before you find it other. all the r

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

We are all undone unless

The noble man have mercy.

We are all undone unless The noble man have mercy.

We are all undone unless The noble man have mercy.

we are all undone unless the noble man have mercy.

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

Who shall ask it?

The Tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people

Deserve such pity of him as the wolf

Does of the shepherds. For his best friends, if they

Should say “Be good to Rome,” they charged him even

As those should do that had deserved his hate

And therein showed like enemies.

Who shall ask it? The Tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds. For his best friends, if they Should say “Be good to Rome,” they charged him even As those should do that had deserved his hate And therein showed like enemies.

Who shall ask it? The Tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds. For his best friends, if they Should say “Be good to Rome,” they charged him even As those should do that had deserved his hate And therein showed like enemies.

who shall ask it? the tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the pe

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

’Tis true.

If he were putting to my house the brand

That should consume it, I have not the face

To say “Beseech you, cease.”—You have made fair hands,

You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!

’Tis true. If he were putting to my house the brand That should consume it, I have not the face To say “Beseech you, cease.”—You have made fair hands, You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!

’Tis true. If he were putting to my house the brand That should consume it, I have not the face To say “Beseech you, cease.”—You have made fair hands, You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!

’tis true. if he were putting to my house the brand that sho

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

You have brought

A trembling upon Rome such as was never

S’ incapable of help.

You have brought A trembling upon Rome such as was never S’ incapable of help.

You have brought A trembling upon Rome such as was never S’ incapable of help.

you have brought a trembling upon rome such as was never s’

TRIBUNES [TRIBUNES]

Say not we brought it.

Say not we brought it.

Say not we brought it.

say not we brought it.

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

How? Was it we? We loved him, but like beasts

And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,

Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.

How? Was it we? We loved him, but like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.

How? Was it we? We loved him, but like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.

how? was it we? we loved him, but like beasts and cowardly n

COMINIUS ≋ verse [COMINIUS]

But I fear

They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,

The second name of men, obeys his points

As if he were his officer. Desperation

Is all the policy, strength, and defence

That Rome can make against them.

But I fear They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer. Desperation Is all the policy, strength, and defence That Rome can make against them.

But I fear They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer. Desperation Is all the policy, strength, and defence That Rome can make against them.

but i fear they’ll roar him in again. tullus aufidius, the s

Enter a troop of Citizens.
MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

Here comes the clusters.—

And is Aufidius with him? You are they

That made the air unwholesome when you cast

Your stinking, greasy caps in hooting at

Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming,

And not a hair upon a soldier’s head

Which will not prove a whip. As many coxcombs

As you threw caps up will he tumble down

And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter.

If he could burn us all into one coal

We have deserved it.

Here comes the clusters.— And is Aufidius with him? You are they That made the air unwholesome when you cast Your stinking, greasy caps in hooting at Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming, And not a hair upon a soldier’s head Which will not prove a whip. As many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter. If he could burn us all into one coal We have deserved it.

Here comes the clusters.— And is Aufidius with him? You are they That made the air unwholesome when you cast Your stinking, greasy caps in hooting at Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming, And not a hair upon a soldier’s head Which will not prove a whip. As many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter. If he could burn us all into one coal We have deserved it.

here comes the clusters.— and is aufidius with him? you are

ALL CITIZENS [ALL CITIZENS]

Faith, we hear fearful news.

Faith, we hear fearful news.

Faith, we hear fearful news.

faith, we hear fearful news.

FIRST CITIZEN ≋ verse [FIRST CITIZEN]

For mine own part,

When I said banish him, I said ’twas pity.

For mine own part, When I said banish him, I said ’twas pity.

For mine own part, When I said banish him, I said ’twas pity.

for mine own part, when i said banish him, i said ’twas pity

SECOND CITIZEN [SECOND CITIZEN]

And so did I.

And so did I.

And so did I.

and so did i.

THIRD CITIZEN [THIRD CITIZEN]

And so did I. And, to say the truth, so did very many of us. That we

did we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his

banishment, yet it was against our will.

And so did I. And, to say the truth, so did very many of us. That we did we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.

And so did I. And, to say the truth, so did very many of us. That we did we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.

and so did i. and, to say the truth, so did very many of us.

Why it matters The third citizen's logic — 'we willingly consented... yet it was against our will' — is one of Shakespeare's sharpest observations about mob self-justification, and one of the funniest lines in the play.
COMINIUS [COMINIUS]

You are goodly things, you voices!

You are goodly things, you voices!

You are goodly things, you voices!

you are goodly things, you voices!

MENENIUS ≋ verse [MENENIUS]

You have made good work, you and your cry!—

Shall’s to the Capitol?

You have made good work, you and your cry!— Shall’s to the Capitol?

You have made good work, you and your cry!— Shall’s to the Capitol?

you have made good work, you and your cry!— shall’s to the c

COMINIUS [COMINIUS]

O, ay, what else?

O, ay, what else?

O, ay, what else?

o, ay, what else?

[_Exeunt Cominius and Menenius._]
SICINIUS ≋ verse [SICINIUS]

Go, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed.

These are a side that would be glad to have

This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,

And show no sign of fear.

Go, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed. These are a side that would be glad to have This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of fear.

Go, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed. These are a side that would be glad to have This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of fear.

go, masters, get you home. be not dismayed. these are a side

FIRST CITIZEN [FIRST CITIZEN]

The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were

i’ th’ wrong when we banished him.

The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were i’ th’ wrong when we banished him.

The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were i’ th’ wrong when we banished him.

the gods be good to us! come, masters, let’s home. i ever sa

SECOND CITIZEN [SECOND CITIZEN]

So did we all. But, come, let’s home.

So did we all. But, come, let’s home.

So did we all. But, come, let’s home.

so did we all. but, come, let’s home.

[_Exeunt Citizens._]
BRUTUS [BRUTUS]

I do not like this news.

I do not like this news.

I do not like this news.

i do not like this news.

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Nor I.

Nor I.

Nor I.

nor i.

BRUTUS ≋ verse [BRUTUS]

Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth

Would buy this for a lie!

Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!

Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!

let’s to the capitol. would half my wealth would buy this fo

SICINIUS [SICINIUS]

Pray let’s go.

Pray let’s go.

Pray let’s go.

pray let’s go.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

A scene that Shakespeare builds as a trap: the tribunes have everything they wanted — a quiet city, grateful citizens, no Coriolanus — and then the world falls out from underneath them. The arrival of the news is staged in waves, each more definite than the last, and between each wave the tribunes clutch at denial. Menenius and Cominius, who never wanted any of this, get to return the tribunes' smugness in full. The citizens — who voted for the banishment — immediately claim they never wanted it. Nobody wants to own what they've done.

If this happened today…

Two politicians who forced a controversial cabinet resignation are doing a PR tour — look, the economy is fine, the city is calm. Their phones start buzzing. They brush it off. More buzzing. 'That can't be right.' Then a press conference: the disgraced official has joined a foreign power's military and is leading an invasion force toward the capital. The politicians try to spin it. Every journalist in the room says: 'Didn't you do this?' The man in the street says: 'I never really wanted him gone.'

Continue to 4.7 →