Monologue

Volumnia Monologue from Coriolanus

From Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

female · inspirational · 1:58 min

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I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when for a day of kings’ entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering how honour would become such a person—that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th’ wall, if renown made it not stir—was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him, from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man. (VIRGILIA: But had he died in the business, madam, how then?) Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. Enter a Gentlewoman.

About this piece

Volumnia expresses her complex feelings of pride and joy regarding her son's achievements in battle, reflecting on the sacrifices made for his honor and the bittersweet nature of motherhood.

40s · joy · family · honor · love · courage

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