Jan 1, 2010

Coriolanus | Selected Quotes

Consider this:--he has been bred i' the wars
Since 'a could draw a sword, and is ill school'd
In bolted language
(III, i)

These words, spoken by Coriolanus' ally, Menenius, paint a good picture of the former. Coriolanus is a man of war, and not a man of words. He is ill-suited to be a politician, and this inability to show verbal skill or humility before the common people pave the way to his downfall.

If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
...