Blog Post #19 - Annotated Act 5 Scene 2 Lines 64 - 100

Act 5 Scene 2 Lines 64 - 100 → Menenius Falls

CORIOLANUS: What’s the matter?                                                                                   1

MENENIUS: Now, you companion, I’ll say an errand for

you. You shall know now that I am in estimation[1] ; you

shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me[2] 

from my son[3]  Coriolanus. Guess, but by my                                                                             5

entertainment with him, if thou standest not i’ the

state of hanging, or of some death more long in

spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now

presently, and swoon for what’s to come upon thee.

[To CORIOLANUS]

The glorious gods sit in hourly synod[4]  about thy                                                                     10

particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than

thy old father Menenius[5]  does! O my son, my son!

thou art preparing fire for us. Look thee, here’s

water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to

thee; but being assured none but myself could move                                                              15

thee, I have been blown out of your gates with

sighs, and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy

petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy

wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet

here, —this, who, like a block, hath denied my                                                                      20

access to thee.

CORIOLANUS: Away!

MENENIUS How! away!

CORIOLANUS: Wife, mother, child,

I know not. My affairs                                                                                                              25

Are servanted to others. Though I owe

My revenge properly, my remission lies

In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,

Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather

Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone.                                                                       30

Mine ears against your suits[6]  are stronger than

Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,

Take this along; I writ it for thy sake

[Gives a letter]

And would have rent it. Another word, Menenius,

I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius[7]                                                                    35 

Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold’st![8] 

AUFIDIUS: You keep a constant temper.[9] 

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[1] held in esteem Esteem is all about respect and admiration. If you have high self-esteem, it means you like yourself. When you say, "My esteemed colleagues," you are saying you have nothing but the highest respect for them. ... When you say you hold someone in high esteem, it means you give them a high value.

[2] jack cannot drive me by virtue using his power

[3] Menenius feels superior of Coriolanus, he wants to protect him

[4] the glorious gods come together/assemble hourly

[5] this shows a sign of respect... as they are calling him an elder and most people wouldn't hurt/do anything to an elder person and the fact they call him "father" they respect him

[6] I hear all about your petitions against  me... and he follows on by saying my ears are stronger than you

[7] he will not listen to anyone who want to talk to him

[8] saying he once loved rome, but no more

[9] stating that coriolanus has a constant temper, which could refer to the fact that he want to fight against him home town in order to gain power

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