Coriolanus Act Scene 1.1.5

Scene 1.1.5

Retorts of a Noble

 “Hang them!” Marcius voiced out in contempt.  “That said!”

“You sit by the fire and presume to know what the Senate done; the ones likely to rise, to survive, and who would decline, their factions and who gives out their vows to make their sides stronger. With such feelings not in your favor, you claimed we hoard the grains.” Marcius looked in contempt at the assembled. It was alike to mutiny in his ranks. 

“Lay aside the Senate, let me blast and buried them in the pits.”

“Nay!” Menenius stepped forth to halt the action. “These are all most thoroughly persuaded. For though abundant they lack discretion, yet they are passing cowards.”

“They are indeed.” Marcius cursed at them. “Who would have no appreciation than us? They claimed hunger, and stand quoted by them. These hungers broke stone walls, so that the dogs must eat. A petition granted; a strange one that broker by our generosity.”

“What was granted to them?” Menenius added on. The Senate House had found the woes of these Commoners were best addressed by their own kind. They then allowed the voting of Consuls; selected numbers from their own.

“Five,” Marcius held up his right hand. “Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms. Chosen by their choice. One’s Junius Brutus, one Sicinius Velutus, and … I know not of the others.”

Marcius knew the first two for they were the most vocal. He feared not them, but held them in contempt.

“The rabble should have first uprooted the city’” Marcius point to the protective walls over the city. He reference to their appointment as invading the Senate House. “It will in time. Win upon power and throw forth more their demands.”

“This is strange.” Menenius feigned confusion to drive the man to speak his mind. Yet he knew that would be true if the Commoner rule Senate.

“Go; get you home, you fragment.” Marcius called on them for the Commoners are not of one nationality but of several nationalities that grouped there in Rome.