How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
CORIOLANUS
My gracious silence, hail.
Wouldst thou have laughed had I come coffined
home,
That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioles wear,
And mothers that lack sons. (2.1.184-189)
Aw. Coriolanus is from war and greeting his family. His wife, Virgilia, stands by silently weeping through the entire scene, even when her husband gently teases her about it. But does this make her pathetic and weak? Or does it give her a quiet strength?
Quote #5
CORIOLANUS
Well, I must do 't.
Away, my disposition, and possess me
Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turned,
Which choirèd with my drum, into a pipe
Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice
That babies lulls asleep! (3.2.137-142)
Here, Coriolanus says he thinks that if he is dishonest with the voters, he'll be acting like a "harlot." (The idea being that women are dishonest, duh.) He also says that asking for the plebeians' votes makes him feel like his once masculine voice ("throat of war") will turn into the squeaky, high-pitched voice of a "eunuch" (castrated man) or a "virgin" (young girl). Basically, Coriolanus associates political pandering with effeminacy and weakness.
Quote #6
VOLUMNIA
Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck'st it from me, (3.2.157)
Volumnia is always running around taking credit for her son's achievements. Here, she says that he inherited his "valiantness" from her because she breast fed him. Seems highly likely. Does this suggest that Volumnia is trying to live vicariously through her son? Wouldn't be the first time a stage mom has done that.