How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
COMINIUS
Come, come, we'll prompt
you.
VOLUMNIA
I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said
My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
To have my praise for this, perform a part
Thou hast not done before. (3.2.131-136)
Here, Volumnia comes right out and says Coriolanus should "perform a part" when he panders to the voters. Again, this suggests that being a politician doesn't come naturally to Coriolanus, so he needs to be directed by his mom and Cominius. But here's the bigger question: if everyone needs to play a part to get elected, is being a politician just an unnatural job?
Quote #8
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! The smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue
Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,
Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his
That hath received an alms. I will not do 't,
Lest I surcease to honor mine own truth
And, by my body's action, teach my mind
A most inherent baseness. (3.2.137-150)
Hmmm, this is interesting. Here, Coriolanus associates political pandering with effeminacy. 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). Don't tell your congressperson.
Quote #9
BRUTUS
Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was a-doing. (4.2.5-6).
Hm. Turns out that Coriolanus isn't the only one trying to act. Here, Sicinius and Brutus decide that they should act with a lot more humility now that they've succeeded in bringing down Coriolanus. After all, they have votes to win, too.