Monologue

Volumnia Monologue from Coriolanus

From Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

female · defiant · 1:00 min

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I prithee now, my son, Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand, And thus far having stretched it—here be with them— Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such busines Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant More learned than the ears—waving thy head, Which often thus correcting thy stout heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling. Or say to them Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils, Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person.

About this piece

Volumnia urges her son Coriolanus to approach the people with humility and persuasion, emphasizing the importance of action and eloquence in winning their favor.

40s · determination · family · power · identity · honor

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