Coriolanus Practice IOC

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Menenius Agrippa. Is he

not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.

Menenius points out he is likely to come home wounded, which provides an opportunity to characterize Volumnia.

Virgilia. O, no, no, no.

This characterizes Virgilia as a dutiful wife, who genuinely cares for Martius. This is consistent with  her character, as throughout the play Virgilia has been the image of the perfect wife. This starkly contrasts with Volumnia’s reaction,

Volumnia. O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for't.

Volumnia is glad that Coriolanus might be wounded. She prioritizes how she can get into a position of power through his son rather than care about his health.

Menenius Agrippa. So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a'

5 victory in his pocket? the wounds become him. 5

Volumnia. On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home

with the oaken garland.

Shows his battle experience and how he is a very good warrior with his previous wins.

Menenius Agrippa. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

Menenius already expects victory from Coriolanus, again signifying that he a trustworthy warrior and can take anyone in battle.

Volumnia. Titus TITUS writes, they fought together, but

Aufidius got off. 10

Menenius Agrippa. And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that:

an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so

‘fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold

that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this?

Volumnia. Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate 15

has letters from the general, wherein he gives my

son the whole name of the war: he hath in this

action outdone his former deeds doubly

She is stating how Martius is going to receive his new name and he has outdone his expectations and she therefore shows the pride she has for him and it shows that she raised him to be one of Rome’s deadliest warriors. This is further characterization of Volumnia and Coriolanus.

Valeria. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

Menenius Agrippa. Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his 20

true purchasing.

Virgilia. The gods grant them true!

Volumnia. True! pow, wow.

Menenius Agrippa. True! I'll be sworn they are true.

Where is he wounded? 25

[To the Tribunes]

God save your good worships! CORIOLANUS is coming

home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?

Menenius states how Coriolanus has much to be proud of after his success in Corioles and also showing some father-like features by also participating in the curiousness for Coriolanus’s battle scars as to show the people and gain support for his future campaign.

Volumnia. I' the shoulder and i' the left arm there will be

large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall

stand for his place. He received in the repulse of 30

Tarquin seven hurts i' the body.

Volumnia is not too concerned about her son’s wounds but rather the scars the will become to show the people and therefore represent the valor he showed in battle and get support to be consul. She of course uses this as an opportunity to get him into a position of political power and at the same time, she also having power and influence in the field for being the mother. As she is a woman, she doesn't have that much ‘say’ in things to do with politics, and participate in wars, so in a way she is and wants to continue living those experiences through Coriolanus.

Menenius Agrippa. One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,—there's

nine that I know.

Volumnia. He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five

wounds upon him. 35

She keeps note of how many wounds he has in order to measure her pride for her son. Shakespeare writes her as the sort of woman that goes against ideal standards, as she has more of a bloody mouth and is versed in things having to do with the military.

Menenius Agrippa. Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave.

The inconsistent arithmetic demonstrates their exhilaration by the possibilities that Martius’ wounds bring forth. Menenius further characterizes Coriolanus by saying that for every scratch in his body there was a casualty for the enemy, this reinforcing his position as a ruthless warrior. Metaphor in “every gash was an enemy’s grave.

[A shout and flourish]

Hark! the trumpets.

Volumnia. These are the ushers of CORIOLANUS: before him he

carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:

Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie; 40

Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.

By saying that that he carries noise and leaves tears, Shakespeare uses Volumnia to characterize Coriolanus as man which brings such emotional impact on the people welcoming him home for his god-like actions in the field of war.