268 matrons married women
270 bended i.e. bowed
271 Jove Roman supreme god (also known as Jupiter) 275 carry ... th'time i.e. let us be vigilant for the present 276 hearts i.e. valor/commitment/hidden desires 276 event future outcome
277 Have with you I'll join you/let's go
2.2 Location: Rome (the Capitol)
3 of by
5 brave splendid
5 vengeance exceedingly
7 great men
8 people or to the
8 them refers either to the
9 they i.e. the people
9 wherefore why
12 in of
16 waved would waver
19 discover him reveal him to be
19 opposite enemy
19 affect seek out/like, enjoy
23 degrees steps
24 supple compliant, obsequious
24 bonneted removed their hats (a mark of respect) 24 without ... report and gained others' esteem and a good reputation without doing anything else 29 giving ... lie being manifestly untrue Lictors officers attending magistrates 33 determined of made a decision about
35 after-meeting follow-up meeting
36 gratify reward
37 stood for defended
38 grave dignified, respected
40 well-found commendable/found to be good
44 like himself appropriate to him, as worthy as he is 46 length fear of taking too long
47 for requital in its ability to recompense (such deeds) 49 after afterward, then
50 motion encouragement, prompting
50 body i.e. people
51 yield consent to
52 convented assembled
52 upon i.e. to consider
52 treaty proposition
53 theme subject
55 blest happy
56 kinder value more generous estimation
56 hereto previously
58 off beside the point
offers attempts
70 disbenched unseated
73 soothed flattered
74 as they weigh according to their worth
76 have ... struck i.e. remain idle when the call to battle goes out 78 monstered made into unnatural marvels
80 multiplying spawn rapidly breeding commoners
81 That's ... one i.e. for one good Coriolanus there are a thousand inadequate commoners/for every worthy commoner there are a thousand bad ones 83 one on's for one of his
89 singly counterpoised matched by any other individual 90 made ... for raised troops to attack
91 mark range, capacity
91 dictator leader
92 point at allude to
93 Amazonian beardless, like the Amazons, a race of female warriors 94 bestrid stood over to defend
95 o'erpressed overpowered
95 view sight
97 on onto
98 might ... scene i.e. might have wept or been afraid (act and scene set up the image of a boy player) 99 meed reward
100 brow-bound ... oak given a wreath of oak leaves to wear on his head (signifying that he had saved the life of a fellow Roman) 100 pupil ... thus his youth being thus initiated into manhood/his apprenticeship thus begun in the manner of a fully grown man 101 waxed grew
102 brunt shock, violence
103 lurched ... garland robbed all fellow soldiers of the victory garland 103 for as for
105 speak him home find words to describe him adequately 105 fliers those fleeing
106 rare marvelous/exceptional
109 stem prow
109 stamp tool with which to imprint a design
110 took made a lasting impression (i.e. killed)
112 timed accompanied regularly
113 mortal fatal (either threatening death to Coriolanus or bringing death to the city) 113 which from which
113 painted ... destiny i.e. stained with the blood of the dead 114 shunless inescapable
114 came off came away, emerged
115 reinforcement fresh attack
115 struck astrological term referring to the power of a 116 planet to emit a deadly influence
117 gan began to
118 ready sense alert sense of hearing
118 straight straight away
118 doubled redoubled in strength
119 requickened revived, reanimated
119 fatigate weary, fatigued
121 reeking steaming (with the fresh blood of enemies) 122 spoil slaughter, destruction
126 with measure fittingly, with due proportion
128 kicked at rejected, spurned
129 as as if
131 misery complete poverty
132 with doing them i.e. by taking satisfaction from performing them 133 To ... it that time well spent is an end in itself/in seeking death 139 still always
143 gown (to permit a better view of war wounds) 143 naked exposed (to the view of the people)/vulnerable/wearing nothing beneath the 144 sufferage vote, approval
145 pass avoid, bypass
146 voices votes
147 bate omit
148 Put force
151 your form the formality that befits your status 157 hire payment
159 stand upon't make an issue of it
160 recommend commit, entrust
161 purpose to them intentions regarding the people 164 use treat
165 require ask
166 contemn ... give despise the fact that what he requested should be in their power to give 170 attend await
2.3 Location: Rome (marketplace)
1 Once once and for all
5 power ... do a legal prerogative that we have no moral right to exercise 9 monstrous unnatural
13 a ... serve will require little effort
14 once once when
15 stuck hesitated
16 of by
16 that because
17 abram auburn, here meaning "blond"
20 consent of agreement on
24 wit ... will perhaps playing on sexual connotations of both words to signify "penis"
24 out emerge, come out
26 southward the south wind was thought to carry disease and storms/the lower regions, i.e. genitals 29 rotten corrupting, unwholesome--playing on "affected by venereal disease"; 30 conscience and
31 tricks also have potential sexual meanings
31 you may i.e. go on, say what you like
141 give ... voice give their vote to one who speaks thus 34 greater part majority
34 incline be well-disposed
39 by particulars to individuals, one by one
40 single honour individual privilege, right
48 pace obedient, measured movement
55 would wish
55 virtues i.e. exhortations to virtue
56 divines priests
56 lose by waste on
59 wholesome profitable/beneficial
62 brace pair (originally used of dogs); an inconsistency, as three citizens have entered; similarly, the subsequent acknowledgment of 73 kindly pleasantly
75 yours i.e. yours to view
78 A match agreed
78 two worthy voices seems to neglect the third citizen 80 something somewhat
81 An 'twere if it were
82 stand agree
86 enigma riddle
87 scourge punishing whip
88 rod punishment cane
91 common promiscuous, indiscriminate
91 sworn brother loyal friend bound by oath 92 a ... them a more valuable place in their esteem 93 condition attribute, habit
93 gentle noble
94 have my hat i.e. have me remove my hat as a mark of respect and deference 95 insinuating ingratiating
95 be off remove my hat
95 counterfeitly falsely, insincerely
96 counterfeit the bewitchment copy the bewitching charm 96 popular man man who curries favor with the people/man of the people 97 bountiful bountifully
102 seal confirm
108 crave
beg
108 hire payment, reward
110 in ... tongue i.e. uttering such deceptions (many editors emend to "toge," i.e. "toga," the gown of humility Coriolanus wears) 111 Hob ... appear any fellow who turns up (Hob and Dick were typical names for common men or rustics) 111 needless unnecessary
111 vouches formal confirmations
113 antique time ancient customs
115 o'erpeer peer over, rise above
117 do thus behave in such a foolish manner
120 voices votes
121 Watched kept guard
123 heard of heard, i.e. experienced firsthand 132 limitation allotted time
133 Endue endow
133 remains it only remains
134 marks insignia of office
135 Anon shortly
137 request i.e. asking for the people's approval 139 upon your approbation to confirm their approval of you 145 Repair make my way
151 weeds clothes
153 my masters sirs
156 notice observation
158 flouted insulted, mocked
159 kind of speech way of speaking
173 further with further need of
174 ignorant too dull
178 lessoned instructed
180 ever always
181 charters ... weal privileges that you hold in the commonwealth 182 arriving reaching
183 sway o'th'state state authority
185 th'plebeii the plebeians
188 what ... for i.e. the position of consul 189 think upon esteem
190 Translate transform
191 Standing ... lord supporting you as a patron, acting on your behalf 193 had touched would have tested (as the quality of gold was tested by rubbing it on a touchstone) 196 called you up prompted you
197 galled irritated, inflamed
198 article condition, stipulation
199 aught anything
200 choler anger
203 free frank, undisguised
207 heart courage, spirit
207 cry protest, rebel
208 rectorship rule
209 ere ... asker on previous occasions refused to vote for one who asked you 211 sued-for begged for/formally entreated
215 piece add to, augment
220 therefor for that purpose, i.e. barking 221 safer more sensible
222 enforce emphasize
225 suit petition (may play on the sense of "clothing") 227 Th'apprehension the understanding
227 portance behavior, demeanor
228 gibingly tauntingly
228 ungravely derisively, disrespectfully
229 After according to
229 inveterate long-standing
230 Lay ... on blame
231 no impediment between allowing nothing to stand in the way 234 affections wishes, preferences
236 against the grain perversely, against your true inclinations 237 voice vote
238 read lectures to instructed
239 youngly early in life
242 Ancus Martius traditionally, the fourth king of Rome 242 Numa Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome
243 Hostilius Tullus Hostilius, third king of Rome 244 Publius unknown ancestor of Coriolanus
244 Quintus ... conduits an anachronism: Quintus Martius Rex was involved in building the Aqua Martia aqueduct in Rome in the second century BC
245 conduits aqueducts
246 Censorinus another anachronism: Caius Martius Rutilus was given the title "Censorinus" in the third century BC
247 censor magistrate in charge of the census of citizens 250 That ... wrought who has, in addition, well deserved through his own actions 253 Scaling weighing up
255 sudden hasty
257 putting on encouragement, urging
258 presently ... number as soon as you have gathered your crowd of supporters 259 Repair make your way
262 put in hazard risked
263 Than ... greater than to await the greater revolt that would doubtless occur 265 answer ... of respond to the advantages offered by 269 own i.e. own doing
3.1 Location: Rome (a street--the procession is on its way to the marketplace)
1 made new head raised a new army
3 composition coming to terms
5 road inroads, incursions
7 worn weakened, exhausted
8 ages lifetimes
11 on safeguard under safe conduct
12 for because
12 vilely contemptibly, shamefully
13 retired withdrawn
13 Antium town situated on the coast, about thirty-five miles south of Rome; now Anzio 20 To hopeless restitution beyond hope of recovery 20 so provided that
28 prank them dress themselves up
29 Against ... sufferance beyond what the nobility can endure 35 passed ... common been approved by the nobility and the common people 40 broil turmoil, fighting
42 voices votes
43 straight immediately (afterward)
43 offices roles, responsibilities
44 rule ... teeth i.e. can you not control their vicious snapping 45 set them on encouraged them (suggesting the incitement of dogs in bear-baiting) 47 purposed planned
49 Suffer't, and live if you put up with it, you will have to live 52 of late recently
53 gratis free
53 repined complained
54 Scandalled scorned, slandered
55 Time-pleasers followers of fashion/opportunists 58 sithence since
60 like likely
61 Not ... yours i.e. I am likely to better you in any case 62 yond yonder, those
65 that that quality
68 are out of have strayed from
70 yoke associate yourself
72 abused deceived
72 palt'ring evasiveness, trickery
74 dishonoured dishonorable
74 rub obstacle (bowling term)
74 laid falsely placed treacherously
75 I'th'plain in the level, smooth
82 For as for
82 meinie common people, rabble (pronounced "many" or "meeny") 83 regard take note of, observe
84 behold themselves i.e. reflected in the unflattering truths Coriolanus will utter 85 soothing flattering
86 cockle weed
86 sedition revolt
88 honoured honorable
96 Coin create
96 their i.e. the lungs'
96 measles red spots of disease; possibly also "lepers"
97 tetter cover with pustules
97 yet sought although we have sought
100 infirmity (human) weakness
102 choler bile, i.e. anger; one of the four humors of early physiology, causing irascibility of temper 103 patient calm
104 mind opinion
108 Triton minor Greek sea god
108 minnows small fish, i.e. common people 110 from the canon out of order, exceeding a tribune's authority 113 Given allowed
113 Hydra in Greek mythology, a monster that grew two heads for every one that was cut off 114 peremptory imperious
115 horn and noise noisy horn
115 wants lacks
116 turn divert
116 current flow of water
118 vail to lower a flag or weapon in submission 118 vail your ignorance yield in ignorant submission 118 awake ... lenity rouse yourselves from this dangerous mildness 121 cushions i.e. seats in the senate
121 by with, next to/courtesy of
123 both your voices i.e. those of senators and plebeians 123 the ... theirs the blend of voices tastes most strongly of the plebeians/the plebeians most enjoy the prevalent taste (i.e. their own) 126 popular i.e. on behalf of the people
126 graver more revered
126 bench governing body/judicial court
129 up active, exerting power
130 confusion destruction/chaos
131 of both between the two
131 take conquer/destroy
132 by by using
135 used Sometime formerly customary 145 our recomp
ense reward from us
146 pressed impressed, conscripted
147 navel i.e. very center
147 touched threatened, affected
148 thread pass through
151 spoke not for didn't recommend
153 All cause unborn without any justification
153 native origin
154 frank generous, free
155 bosom multiplied (creature of) many stomachs 155 digest comprehend/digest bodily
157 like likely
158 poll number of people (literally, heads)
158 greater poll majority
161 cares concerns (for state welfare)
162 break the
162 locks o'th'senate) eagles i.e. superior birds; a symbol of Roman power 163 crows plays on the sense of "crowbars" (with which to 165 over-measure excess
168 Seal (may it) confirm
168 withal with
168 double worship divided authority
170 Insult behave insolently
170 without all without any/beyond all
170 gentry social rank, being a gentleman
171 conclude come to a decision
172 general common, popular
172 omit neglect
173 the while in the meantime
174 slightness triviality
174 Purpose so barred proper planning being thus prevented 175 to purpose effectively
176 fearful timid, cowardly
176 discreet discerning, prudent
177 love ... on't love the foundations of sound government more than you fear making the changes that are necessary to preserve it (i.e. getting rid of the tribunes) 180 jump risk (treating)
180 physic medicine
182 multitudinous tongue voice of the multitude, i.e. the tribunes 183 sweet i.e. power
183 dishonour current shameful situation
184 bereaves deprives
185 integrity unity
187 For th'ill because of the evil (i.e. the tribunes and the people they represent) 189 answer pay for it
191 despite contempt
192 bald lacking both hair and wisdom
194 th'greater bench the more important governing body, i.e. the senate 195 what's ... law when force and circumstance, rather than what was right, prevailed 197 what ... meet what is right and proper be openly acknowledged as the correct thing to do 201 aediles public officers, assistants to the tribunes 202 apprehended arrested
205 Attach arrest
205 innovator revolutionary
206 th'public weal the commonwealth
207 answer interrogation, trial/punishment
209 surety stand bail for
222 Confusion destruction/disorder/overthrow
227 at ... lose on the point of losing
240 distinctly ranges is laid out in a clear and orderly manner 243 Or either
243 stand to uphold
245 part behalf
247 present immediate
249 th'rock Tarpeian the precipice on the Capitoline Hill, from which criminals were thrown to their deaths 256 that what
257 temp'rately calmly
259 cold calm, unimpassioned
265 seen me seen me do
beat in beaten offstage
272 naught lost, brought to nothing
272 else otherwise
278 cause disease
280 tent probe and clean (a wound) surgically, i.e. cure 283 littered born (like
284 calved, used of animals)