Coriolanus Language and Communication Quotes

When Coriolanus runs for consul and says all the wrong things to the voters, Menenius basically has to act like a spin doctor and try to do damage control. Here, Menenius is trying to turn Coriolanus' rough mannerisms into a positive. By blaming Coriolanus' harsh and abusive language on the fact that he is a soldier, Menenius is also reminding the voters that Coriolanus is a war hero who has saved Rome from its enemies on numerous occasions. Pretty crafty.

When Coriolanus' family shows up and begs him not to destroy Rome, Volumnia does most of the talking. There's plenty of evidence in the text to suggest that Volumnia is the one who convinces Coriolanus to stop the invasion. But she also orders her daughter-in-law and grandson to "speak" up. Does this mean she's not getting the reaction she wants from her son? It seems pretty clear that Volumnia thinks that Virgilia is weak and ineffective because she's not vocal, but we're not so sure. Maybe Virgilia's silence and tears do help convince Coriolanus' decision to stop.

For once in his life, Coriolanus is at a total loss for words. And notice how Shakespeare describes it—as being like an actor who forgot his part.